UK government ‘concerned’ by abuse claims against West Ham co-owner

Allegations that the billionaire co-owner of West Ham football club, David Sullivan, preyed on women for sex are “deeply concerning”, the British government has said.

The 77-year-old recently quit as joint chair of the London football club to fight what he said were “false allegations” about his private life.

But Sullivan, who built a business empire from owning pornographic magazines, remains West Ham’s largest shareholder.

Reports broke in the British media on Monday of accounts from seven women accusing Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.

The allegations date back to the 1980s and 1990s, when Sullivan owned British tabloid newspapers the Daily Sport and the Sunday Sport. The women claim Sullivan was involved in pressuring young or aspiring models in their late teens or early 20s.

In a statement, a spokesman for the United Kingdom’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport said on Tuesday: “These deeply concerning allegations must be treated with the utmost seriousness and be investigated by the relevant authorities, with victims given the support they need.”

Speaking Saturday before the allegations were made public, Sullivan said he “categorically denies” all the claims.

Neither he nor his lawyers has made any further public comment since Monday’s reports were published.