BBC presenter Tony Livesey is to “step back” from his 5 Live radio show after allegations were raised about his previous career as editor-in-chief of David Sullivan’s Sport Newspapers.
The public broadcaster is considering the findings of a Panorama investigation into the West Ham owner, in which he was accused of sexually exploitative behaviour against women over several decades. Sullivan denies the allegations, stating through his lawyers: “I categorically deny all of these complaints.”
Livesey, 62, will not present his regular late-night show while the BBC considers questions raised by the programme, after it featured a claim by one alleged victim that he had arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan. The 5 Live presenter said he had “huge sympathy” for the woman but had “no recollection” of introducing her to Sullivan and rejected any suggestion he played a part in it.
However, the BBC is facing pressure to take further action after staffers raised concerns over Livesey’s role at the Sullivan-owned Sport titles, which for many years ran a salacious feature teasing readers with photos of partially-clothed schoolgirls.
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