Seven women have accused West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, alleging that he used his influence in the glamour modelling industry to pressure young women into sex.
The allegations emerged in a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times and span several decades from the 1980s.
The women were reportedly in their late teens or early twenties and seeking modelling opportunities with Sullivan’s Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers.
The women alleged that Sullivan used promises of modelling work and career advancement to obtain sex or oral sex.
Sullivan, 77, has denied all the allegations.
One of the women, identified as Florence, alleged that she met Sullivan at his Essex home in 1999 after being invited to what she believed was a business meeting.
She said Sullivan told her: “You’ll be in all the magazines. I can give you covers, I can give you centrefolds, and you’ll be one of my Sport girls.”
According to Florence, she tried to avoid the situation by telling him that her boyfriend was waiting outside.
She alleged that Sullivan replied: “It will only take a minute and he never has to know.”
Florence said she also told him she was on her period.
She alleged that Sullivan responded: “It’s all right, I’ll only put it in a little bit.”
According to Florence, Sullivan then had sex with her despite her not wanting the encounter.
She said he later told her: “Congratulations, you will be one of our new Sport girls and you’re going to get lots of work.”
Reflecting on the experience, Florence said: “He took away my innocence… I was very suicidal for many years. Up until very recently, I struggled with my mental health.”
Lawyers representing Sullivan described Florence’s account as implausible.
Sullivan has denied the allegation.
Another woman, identified as Rebecca, alleged that she was introduced to Sullivan through a modelling agent in 1998 after being promised a successful modelling career.
Rebecca said the agent told her: “Just go in there and just do what he says.”
She alleged that Sullivan later assured her: “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you,” before having sex with her.
According to Rebecca, Sullivan subsequently said: “I’ll sort it out for you to go in the paper, don’t worry about that.”
She said the experience marked “the start of a lonely, degrading, dark time” in her life and accused Sullivan of preying on vulnerable young women.
Another woman, identified as Mia, alleged that she attended a meeting at Sullivan’s home believing it concerned modelling opportunities with the Sport newspapers.
She said Sullivan expected sex and that she felt unable to refuse because she feared it would affect her prospects in the industry.
Mia said: “It shouldn’t have happened.
“He was taking advantage of young people.”
Anna, who said she was 17 when she entered a Sport modelling competition in the 1990s, alleged that Sullivan approached her during an industry event and offered to make her a star if she performed oral sex on him.
She said: “This is while my mum’s in the same room, so I’m glad I didn’t go on my own because God knows what would have happened if I had.”
Another former model, Wendy, alleged that Sullivan told her during a meeting in the 1980s: “If you want to get anywhere in this industry you need to sleep with me.”
She said she rejected the suggestion, recalling: “I just remember thinking, ‘well, if I’ve got to sleep with you then I’d rather not get anywhere.’”
A former teenage model identified as Beth alleged that she was sent alone to meet Sullivan at his home, where she found him in bed wearing a dressing gown.
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