BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Tony Livesey has left the station after 16 years, following his decision in June to step back from his weekday late-night talk show amid allegations against his former newspaper boss, David Sullivan. Several women have accused Sullivan, a billionaire businessman and West Ham co-owner, of abusing his position of power and preying on them for sex, including in some cases when they were teenagers; Sullivan strongly denies the claims. The story matters because it links a long-serving BBC broadcaster to a wider investigation into alleged historic abuse by a prominent public figure, raising questions about accountability for those who worked closely with him.

Livesey had previously served as editor-in-chief of Sullivan's Daily and Sunday Sport publications before joining the BBC in 2006 and moving to 5 Live from 2010, later presenting its topical late-night phone-in show. The allegations against Sullivan emerged from a joint investigation by the Times and BBC Panorama, and one alleged victim said Livesey had arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan in 1999; Livesey said he had "no recollection" of doing so and found the allegation "abhorrent". Announcing his departure in a staff email, 5 Live controller Heidi Dawson thanked Livesey and wished him well, while noting his broadcasting achievements, including ARIA and APA awards and conducting the late Dame Deborah James's final interview.