Key facts
- Karren Brady was aware of restrictions placed on David Sullivan's access to West Ham's women's and youth teams.
- Brady's legal team stated she was not involved in the decision-making process for these restrictions.
- Her lawyers asserted that Brady remained at the club because Sullivan denied the allegations against him.
- Brady continued her role at West Ham until April of this year.
- Her legal representatives denied any hypocrisy in her continued employment given her advocacy for women's rights.
Karren Brady remained employed by West Ham United despite being aware of restrictions placed on co-owner David Sullivan's access to the club's women's and youth teams, her lawyers have stated.
Brady's legal representatives clarified that while she knew of the limitations, she was not involved in the decision made by the club in conjunction with local authorities and the FA. Their statement emphasized that Brady's role was to ensure the club's safeguarding structures, procedures, and confidentialities were respected throughout the process.
According to her lawyers, Brady continued working for West Ham until April of this year, stepping down five games before the season concluded. They explained her decision to stay was based on Sullivan's consistent denial of the allegations and her reliance on the principle of presumed innocence.
When questioned about a potential contradiction between Brady's public support for women's rights and her continued association with Sullivan, her lawyers dismissed the notion. They stated there was no inconsistency or hypocrisy, as her role involved advocating for women's protection while respecting the confidential safeguarding investigation managed by appropriate professionals and statutory authorities. Brady has a long-standing professional relationship with Sullivan, having worked with him for nearly four decades, starting at his Sport newspapers before becoming managing director of Birmingham City in 1993.