David Sullivan, who is the fifth richest person from Wales with a fortune of £1.1 billion, says he will sue the BBC
Billionaire David Sullivan, who co-owns the West Ham United(Image: PA)
The Welsh billionaire co-chairman and majority shareholder of West Ham United, David Sullivan, has announced he is stepping down with immediate effect to fight allegations made against him.
Sullivan released a bombshell statement on Saturday, revealing allegations against him are soon to be published concerning his personal life and vowing to sue the BBC.
The 77-year-old, who made his fortune in the adult industry, denies all the allegations against him. His departure comes weeks after the resignation of vice-chair Karren Brady and the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
In a lengthy personal statement, Sullivan said: “I have recently become aware that factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life are due to be broadcast and published.
“The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. 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. I categorically deny these claims.
“I am a private man, and those who personally and professionally know the real David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids, know exactly who I am and what I stand for. I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as.
“I have not been provided with any proper explanation as to how these individuals or their claims were independently verified or assessed for credibility prior to publication. I believe that the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality. I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libelous allegations.
“None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football; West Ham United has been one of the greatest passions and privileges of my life. I care deeply about the club, its supporters, its players, its staff, and its future. At what is already a challenging and important time for the club, I refuse to allow personal matters concerning me to become an unnecessary distraction or a source of instability.
“Therefore, after very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as Joint-Chair and Director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.
“This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.
“I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations. I have officially engaged my legal team and we are preparing to issue legal proceedings in respect of each and every false complaint that has been made against me. I will be seeking full redress, legally and publicly, on every single front.”
As of yet, no allegations have been published against Sullivan in the media.
Sullivan is the fifth richest person from Wales, with his net worth recently estimated at £1.1 billion in the Sunday Times Rich List.
Born in Cardiff and raised in a Penarth council house, Sullivan earned his millions by selling pornographic content. By the late 1970s he ran half of the UK’s adult magazine market and 150 sex shops.
In 1982 he was convicted of living off immoral earnings and served 71 days in prison but he told the Standard in 2012 that he did not “feel embarrassed” by how he made his money.
