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West Ham shareholder David Sullivan sues BBC for £150m over Panorama sexual misconduct claims

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026 · last updated 2 October 2026.

David Sullivan is suing the BBC for more than £150 million after a Panorama documentary featured seven women accusing him of sexually exploitative behaviour.
David Sullivan is suing the BBC for more than £150 million after a Panorama documentary featured seven women accusing him of sexually exploitative behaviour.

David Sullivan has filed a High Court claim against the BBC for more than £150 million in damages, accusing the corporation of making defamatory allegations in its Panorama documentary 'Predator: The Billionaire Football Boss'. The programme, broadcast in June, featured seven women who accused the 77-year-old Cardiff-born businessman of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, when he owned the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers. Sullivan categorically denies the claims and stepped down as West Ham co-chairman before the documentary aired.

Six of the seven women who spoke to Panorama remained anonymous, alleging Sullivan pressured them into sex or oral sex during business meetings to advance their careers.

The documentary also reported Sullivan had admitted paying for sex in the 1990s with a girl he understood to be 16 or 17 — he was in his 40s at the time.

Essex Police confirmed it had 'received some contact' following publication of the allegations and that inquiries are ongoing.

MoreThe IndependentDavid Sullivan sues BBC for more than £150m over ‘defamatory’ Panorama allegationsEvening StandardDavid Sullivan sues BBC for more than £150 million over Panorama allegationsThe New York TimesWest Ham’s David Sullivan suing BBC for £150m over sexual misconduct allegations in Panorama doc - The New York Times
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