DP World Chief Resigns After Epstein Links Spark Pressure

The head of global ports operator DP World has resigned after growing scrutiny over his reported links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem stepped down as chairman and chief executive following the release of documents showing he exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein over a decade.

Being named in the files does not prove wrongdoing. The BBC contacted Sulayem for comment.

DP World announced his resignation with immediate effect. The company appointed Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. Shortly afterward, the company removed Sulayem’s photograph from its website.

Investors Suspend Funding as Pressure Mounts

DP World operates port terminals across six continents and plays a major role in global trade. In recent days, several partners increased pressure on the company.

The UK development finance agency suspended new investment in DP World. La Caisse, Canada’s second-largest pension fund, also halted new funding.

The Prince of Wales’ Earthshot Prize initiative, which received financial support from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission after Sulayem’s name appeared in the documents.

The files show that Epstein introduced Sulayem to political and business figures by email. In 2016, Sulayem gave the Prince of Wales a tour of DP World’s London Gateway port.

Emails Suggest Long-Running Relationship

BBC News Arabic reviewed the documents and found that contact between the two men may have begun as early as 2007.

The emails suggest they shared travel plans, business ideas, and articles. In a 2013 message, Epstein described Sulayem as “one of his most trusted friends.”

They discussed global business ventures, including a proposal for Dubai to launch an “Islamic” digital currency.

In several exchanges, Sulayem appeared to seek advice on personal health matters concerning himself and family members.

The correspondence continued until at least 2017. This contact occurred years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor and two years before his death in 2019.