DP World boss leaves ports and P&O owner amid questions over Epstein links

The Emirati businessman credited with turning DP World into a global logistics powerhouse has left the company amid questions over his links to the disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem was the chairman and CEO of the Dubai based group and its earlier entities for more than four decades. Its interests include 80 ports, including the London Gateway, equating to roughly 10% of the market.

It is also the owner of P&O Ferries - the UK operator that infamously sacked 800 seafarers in favour of cheaper agency staff in 2022. Follow - Epstein files latest A statement announcing his successors did not mention bin Sulayem but it was later confirmed that he had resigned.

The, now former, CEO and DP World had come under pressure after new investment in the company was suspended by a number of international partners amid questions over his links with Epstein. British International Investment (BII) and ​Canada's second-largest pension fund withdrew funding following the publication of communications in the so-called Epstein files which showed bin Sulayem had allegedly discussed women with the late disgraced US financier.

Read more from Sky News:FBI releases new details about suspect in disappearance of US TV host's motherDonald Trump agrees to end ICE operation in Minnesota There has been no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by bin Sulayem. DP World said on Friday: "DP World announced the appointment of His Excellency Essa Kazim as Chairman of its Board of Directors and the appointment of Yuvraj Narayan as Group Chief Executive Officer." It added: "DP World affirmed that the new appointments support its strategy for sustainable growth and reinforce its role in strengthening global supply chains and supporting Dubai's position as a leading hub for trade and logistics." BII responded by saying that it had lifted the suspension of its investment with immediate effect.

A spokesperson said: "We welcome today's decision ​by ⁠DP World and ⁠look forward to continuing our ‌partnership to advance the development of key African ‌trading ports to unlock the continent's global trading potential.".