The head of global ports operator DP World has left the company after mounting pressure over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem's exit as chairman and chief executive comes after newly-released files showed the Emirati mogul appears to have exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein over a decade. While being mentioned in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing, the BBC has approached Sulayem for a comment.
DP World announced his resignation, 'effective immediately', on Friday, naming Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. A photograph of Sulayem appeared to have been removed from its website. The Dubai-owned logistics giant runs port terminals across six continents and plays a critical role in global trade infrastructure, but has faced increasing pressure from businesses it collaborates with.
Earlier this week, the UK development finance agency and Canada's second-largest pension fund, La Caisse, announced they were suspending new investments into the firm. Additionally, the Prince of Wales' Earthshot project, which received funding from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission after Sulayem appeared in the files.
The documents revealed a close relationship between one of the Gulf's most influential business figures and Epstein. Influential U.S. lawmakers also accused Sulayem of being among the powerful men associated with Epstein. The congressmen had co-sponsored legislation that compelled the justice department to release Epstein files last year.
US officials disclosed that Sulayem was the recipient of an email from Epstein in 2009 that mentioned something potentially alarming about a 'torture video'.
An analysis by BBC News Arabic revealed that Sulayem's contact with Epstein goes back to at least 2007, with emails suggesting a close friendship where they discussed business ideas, family health matters, travel plans, and even crude jokes. Epstein referred to Sulayem as 'one of his most trusted friends' in correspondence.
The emails also indicated discussions surrounding women, with some messages describing arrivals of women and attempting to arrange for Epstein’s “private masseuse” to be trained at a Turkish hotel.
Additionally, it has been revealed that Epstein lobbied for Sulayem's business dealings, connecting him with powerful political figures and arranging meetings that potentially influenced UK government decisions regarding a significant port deal.
As the fallout continues from these revelations, the future of DP World and its leadership remains under scrutiny.
DP World announced his resignation, 'effective immediately', on Friday, naming Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. A photograph of Sulayem appeared to have been removed from its website. The Dubai-owned logistics giant runs port terminals across six continents and plays a critical role in global trade infrastructure, but has faced increasing pressure from businesses it collaborates with.
Earlier this week, the UK development finance agency and Canada's second-largest pension fund, La Caisse, announced they were suspending new investments into the firm. Additionally, the Prince of Wales' Earthshot project, which received funding from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission after Sulayem appeared in the files.
The documents revealed a close relationship between one of the Gulf's most influential business figures and Epstein. Influential U.S. lawmakers also accused Sulayem of being among the powerful men associated with Epstein. The congressmen had co-sponsored legislation that compelled the justice department to release Epstein files last year.
US officials disclosed that Sulayem was the recipient of an email from Epstein in 2009 that mentioned something potentially alarming about a 'torture video'.
An analysis by BBC News Arabic revealed that Sulayem's contact with Epstein goes back to at least 2007, with emails suggesting a close friendship where they discussed business ideas, family health matters, travel plans, and even crude jokes. Epstein referred to Sulayem as 'one of his most trusted friends' in correspondence.
The emails also indicated discussions surrounding women, with some messages describing arrivals of women and attempting to arrange for Epstein’s “private masseuse” to be trained at a Turkish hotel.
Additionally, it has been revealed that Epstein lobbied for Sulayem's business dealings, connecting him with powerful political figures and arranging meetings that potentially influenced UK government decisions regarding a significant port deal.
As the fallout continues from these revelations, the future of DP World and its leadership remains under scrutiny.
