Joint-chair of relegated club to tackle ‘false allegations’
‘I am not the person the media has decided to paint me as’
The former pornography baron David Sullivan has announced his resignation as a joint-chair and director of West Ham with immediate effect. Sullivan and his legal representatives said in a statement on Saturday that the 77-year-old billionaire was stepping down to apply his “full energy and attention” to fighting what he described as “false allegations” concerning his personal conduct.
The Guardian understands that Sullivan has been approached by BBC’s Panorama about an episode it is considering broadcasting in the coming days.
Sullivan, who made his fortune in the adult entertainment industry before founding the Sport newspapers, said he was announcing his intention to stand down “for the benefit of transparency”.
He did not elaborate on the accusations but said he “categorically” denied them. He described the allegations as “factually incorrect and entirely false” and said he intended to sue the BBC if it broadcast them.
“After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry, in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me,” he said.
Sullivan claimed to be a “private man” and “not the caricature invented by the tabloids”.
“I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as,” he said. “I have not been provided with any proper explanation...
Joint-chair of relegated club to tackle ‘false allegations’ ‘I am not the person the media has decided to paint me as’ The former pornography baron David Sullivan has announced his resignation a...