BBC Radio 5Live presenter Tony Livesey was named in a Panorama investigation that alleges he set up a 1999 meeting between a then‑20‑year‑old glamour model, identified only as Florence, and billionaire football club co‑owner David Sullivan. livesey, who has worked at the station for 17 years, says he has no recollection of the episode and rejects any involvement.

Panorama claims Livesey called Sullivan to arrange Florence’s visit

According to the Panorama report ,Florence says she met Livesey when he was editor of the Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers. She alleges that Livesey phoned Sullivan and coordinated a date at the billionaire’s Essex home, where she was pressured into sex in exchange for promised modelling work. The claim ties directly to the broader pattern of alleged sexual quid‑pro‑quo that has surfaced around Sullivan’s publishing empire.

David Sullivan’s alleged “regular girls” scheme from the 1990s

The model’s testimony echoes accusations from at least six other women who say Sullivan used his newspaper titles to lure aspiring models into sexual encounters, promising career advancement.. Sources cited in the investigation note that Sullivan was nicknamed “B**w Job” within the industry for this alleged practice. The BBC reports that Sullivan, now 77, has previously admitted to paying for sex with a teenager in the 1990s, a conduct that was not illegal at the time .

Livesey’s denial and the BBC’s response

Livesey told the BBC he feels “great sympathy for a woman who may have become a victim,” but called the allegation “abhorrent” and said he has no memory of arranging any such meeting. The BBC’s listings show he is scheduled to host his late‑night phone‑in show on Tuesday, though he was absent from his programme on the night the Panorama story aired. The Daily Mail has asked 5Live for comment, but the station has not issued a formal statement.

Unanswered question: Did Livesey actually place the call?

The investigation does not present any phone records or third‑party confirmation that Livesey contacted Sullivan. Without corroborating evidence, the claim rests on Florence’s account alone, and the report does not indicate whether any other witnesses can verify the alleged call.

What remains unclear about Sullivan’s broader legal exposure

While Sullivan has stepped down from his West Ham United board seat following the Panorama and Times investigations, he continues to hold a 38.8 % stake in the club and has vowed to sue any outlet that repeats the allegations. The BBC notes that seven women have given detailed accounts spanning back to the 1980s, but no criminal charges have been filed to date.. The legal landscape may shift if new evidence emerges, especially given changes to UK law on paying for sex with minors after 2003.