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.
Being mentioned in the files is not a sign of any wrongdoing, and 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.
DP World, the Dubai-owned logistics giant that runs port terminals across six continents and plays a significant role in global trade infrastructure, has come under increasing pressure over recent days from businesses it works with.
Earlier this week, the UK development finance agency and Canada's second largest pension fund La Caisse said they were suspending new investment into the firm.
And 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 reveal what appears to have been a close and wide-ranging relationship between one of the Gulf's most influential business figures and Epstein. They indicate Epstein introduced Sulayem to various international figures from politics and business by email.
Sulayem was also accused by US lawmakers of being one of 'six powerful men' associated with Epstein. The email interactions included discussions of business ideas and personal matters, suggesting a significant level of friendship.
The communications even revealed topics such as women, with Sulayem referencing various personal acquaintances and sharing personal opinions.
The situation underscores the potential fallout and scrutiny faced by high-profile business leaders connected to Epstein's expansive, controversial network.
