David Sullivan steps down at West Ham to fight claims about private life

• Joint-chair of relegated club to tackle false allegations'

• I am not the person the media has decided to paint me as'

The former pornography baron David Sullivan has announced his resignation as a joint-chair and director of West Ham with immediate effect.

Sullivan and his legal representatives said in a statement that the 77-year-old billionaire was stepping down to apply his full energy and attention" to fighting what he described as false allegations" concerning his personal conduct, due to be aired as part of a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and the Times on Monday.