Tony Livesey will "step back" from his BBC radio show after allegations have been raised about his previous career as the editor-in-chief of David Sullivan's Sport Newspapers.
The BBC said Livesey will be stepping away while the broadcaster looks into issues raised by the Panorama investigation, after accusing Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, which he "categorically denies".
The investigation suggested the presenter organised a meeting between one alleged victim and Sullivan.
Livesey told The Times he had "no recollection" of this, adding it was "not part" of his job to do so. GB News has approached Tony Livesey for comment.
The BBC also noted a passage in Livesey's book where he and Sullivan had the “countdown to 16” model, which had the pair noting when models' 16th birthdays were so they could be legally pictured topless for the first time.
Liversey said the feature was "categorically" not his idea, and large sections of the book were "fictionalised" to make it seem as though he was "at the centre of all stories", even if he had not been
A BBC spokesman said: "The Panorama investigation included allegations about Tony Livesey, which we take seriously. We also note Tony has firmly denied the allegations.
"He has asked to step back from presenting his radio show for a short period, and we will be considering the matters raised by the programme. We will not be commenting further at this stage."
Tony Livesey has 'stepped back' from his radio show
|PA
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Allegations have been made against Sullivan that he pressured women into engaging in sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.
Sullivan said the claims were "false allegations" which he "categorically denies".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The accounts given by a number of women to the BBC and the Times today are harrowing.
David Sullivan 'categorically denies' all the claims against him | PA"The Prime Minister is absolutely clear that any victim of alleged sexual assault, no matter how long ago, should contact the police and we would expect them to be given the proper support they need."
The Times said it was a two-year investigation involving its reporters speaking to dozens of former models.
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said in a statement: "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.
"The Government stands strongly against any form of harassment or abuse of power in the workplace and is working across industries to stamp it out and build an environment where people feel safe and able to challenge inappropriate behaviour."
Sullivan stepped down as West Ham chairman over the weekend | PAIn a statement announcing he was stepping down as chairman of West Ham at the weekend, Mr Sullivan set out his categorical denial of the "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations" being made and stated "none of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football".
He also said: "After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry, in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me. I categorically deny these claims.
"After very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as joint-chair and director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.
"This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect and responsibility toward a football club and a fanbase that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward."
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