Seven women have accused David Sullivan, the West Ham co-owner who made a fortune in the porn and media industry, of preying on them for sex, according to an investigation by the BBC and The Times of London yesterday.

The women said Sullivan used his power to try to get them to perform sex acts when they were young models seeking work at his Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers, which featured photos of topless and scantily clad women.

Sullivan denied the allegations through his lawyer but stepped down on Saturday as co-chairman of the east London football club to "avoid disruption", the team said.