BBC reveals first particulars of Panorama investigation into David Sullivan
The billionaire West Ham co-owner, 77, who made his fortune in the porn industry, announced he was stepping aside on Saturday and intends to sue the BBC for libel. Their investigation is set to air tonight.
David Sullivan stepped down as West Ham chairman on Saturday(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
The first details of the BBC’s investigation into billionaire West Ham co-owner David Sullivan have emerged ahead of a bombshell Panorama documentary. A TV listing for the episode has appeared online with the title “Predator: The Billionaire Football Boss“.
Tonight’s documentary is set to detail the findings of a joint investigation between the BBC and The Times over multiple serious allegations about the former porn baron’s personal life.
Underneath the title, a synopsis reads: “A joint investigation by Panorama and the Times newspaper into the behaviour of David Sullivan, who has announced he is stepping down as co-chair and director of West Ham United Football Club.
“Over decades, he has made millions from pornography, newspapers and football.”
The BBC has remained tight-lipped about the contents of the documentary, which is to be broadcast after Sullivan, 77, announced he was stepping aside as West Ham co-chairman and plans to sue the BBC for libel.
Sullivan, who made much of his fortune in the porn industry, is said to be facing “serious historical allegations” about his conduct. He said that after a career in which he “met thousands of women”, it was “inevitable” he was now facing accusations about his behaviour.
A former page three model is set to make a string of allegations against Sullivan in the documentary, the Mirror reports.
The woman, who has not been named, is due to appear on the show to claim she was left shocked after going to the billionaire’s £7.5million mansion in the late 1990s.
She is set to open up about the encounter she alleges took place when she was trying to establish herself in the industry and had met Mr Sullivan to discuss opportunities.
In her account, the woman says she wants to encourage others to talk about people in power and the treatment of women in the modelling and pornography industries.
She argues that younger women entering those worlds can be particularly vulnerable to coercion and undue influence.
Sullivan, who has co-owned the Hammers for 16 years, made his fortune producing a string of magazines and films in the 1970s, before buying up swathes of prime London property.
He said of the investigation: “I believe the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality. The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media.
“I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libellous allegations. None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football.”
