Key facts
- BBC radio presenter Tony Livesey has left the broadcaster.
- His departure follows allegations related to his previous role at David Sullivan's Sport newspapers.
- A BBC Panorama investigation detailed accusations of sexual misconduct against David Sullivan.
- Livesey stated he does not recall introducing an alleged victim to Sullivan.
- Livesey claimed parts of his book were fictionalized.
- Heidi Dawson, controller of 5 Live, confirmed Livesey's departure to staff.
- David Sullivan resigned from West Ham United prior to the investigation's publication.
Tony Livesey, a presenter for BBC 5 Live, has departed the station following allegations concerning his prior career as editor-in-chief of David Sullivan's Sport newspapers. Staff were informed of his departure after he stepped away from his role amid the emerging claims.
The allegations surfaced in conjunction with a BBC Panorama investigation that accused David Sullivan, a billionaire and co-owner of West Ham United, of decades of sexually exploitative and predatory behavior towards women. Sullivan has denied these accusations through his legal representatives.
The investigation also raised questions for Livesey, 62. One alleged victim stated that Livesey had arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan. Livesey has stated he has no recollection of this introduction and that it was not part of his job to facilitate such meetings. He also commented on a passage in a 1998 book he authored, which described a feature idea involving countdowns to models' 16th birthdays for topless photos. Livesey has since asserted that the feature was not his idea and that significant portions of his book were fictionalized.
In a message to BBC staff, Heidi Dawson, controller of 5 Live, confirmed Livesey's decision to leave, highlighting his 16-year tenure and his roles on the 10pm to 1am show and the Drive show. She conveyed Livesey's thanks to his colleagues and wished him well.
Sullivan, 77, resigned as a director and co-chair of West Ham United on June 6, preceding the publication of a joint investigation by the BBC and The Times. This investigation detailed accusations from seven women alleging sexual misconduct, abuse of power, and pressure into sex during business meetings.
Livesey began as a reporter at the Sport titles and rose to editor-in-chief, spending 18 years with the company before leaving in 2006 to focus on his broadcasting career. At the time of his departure from the Sport, Livesey defended the newspaper's profitability and its approach to serious stories and providing humor.