‘S&M’ sex trial raises fresh Mosley doubts
By Megan Murphy, Law Courts Correspondent
Published: July 7 2008 22:31 | Last updated: July 7 2008 22:31
Max Mosley, the motorsports chief, has admitted indulging in bondage, corporal punishment and sadomasochistic sex for the past 45 years, in a UK trial that will raise fresh questions about whether he is fit for office.
Mr Mosley, 68, is suing the News of the World for defamation and invasion of privacy over the newspaper’s allegations that he was involved in a “sick Nazi orgy” with five prostitutes in March.
The head of Formula One’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, testified on Monday in the High Court that while he had been heavily involved in the “S&M” scene for decades, there was never a Nazi element to his sex sessions.
“I can think of few things more unerotic than Nazi role play,” Mr Mosley told the court during a frequently combative and undoubtedly uncomfortable stand in the witness box.
Mr Mosley’s decision to contest such a high-profile case has raised concerns among motor racing associations, sponsors and manufacturers, many of which have already urged him to step down.
He won a vote of confidence to remain in office at a Formula One meeting in Paris last month, in spite of widespread criticism of his behaviour.
Monday’s lurid revelations are likely to fuel further speculation that Mr Mosley is out of touch with the damage the scandal has inflicted on the sport’s image.
Mr Mosley testified that he had developed an interest in role-playing and sadomasochism at a young age.
“I think it is a perfectly harmless activity provided it is between consenting adults who want to do it, are of sound mind, and it is in private,” he said.
His wife of 48 years, however, never knew about his outside interests and was said to be “completely and totally devastated” when the News of the World published the exposé, photos and video footage in March.
The newspaper report, which has been viewed more than 3.5m times, said Mr Mosley had played a concentration camp commandant and a cowering death camp inmate during the session in a Chelsea basement flat.
Ms Mosley rejected those allegations, telling Mr Justice Eady there “was not even a hint” of Nazi behaviour during role-play.
As the son of 1930s Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, whose marriage ceremony was attended by Hitler, Mr Mosley said the family’s Nazi links had been “hanging over” him his entire life.
The News of the World is contesting the action and says publication was in the public interest. Mark Warby QC, representing the tabloid, said it had printed a “legitimate and lawful story”.
“The activities that went on here are not deserving of respect, however much they might have been kept behind closed doors,” he said. “The fact that a person agrees to it, and indeed encourages it and brings it about, is no defence.”
The hearing continues on Wednesday.
By Megan Murphy, Law Courts Correspondent
Published: July 7 2008 22:31 | Last updated: July 7 2008 22:31
Max Mosley, the motorsports chief, has admitted indulging in bondage, corporal punishment and sadomasochistic sex for the past 45 years, in a UK trial that will raise fresh questions about whether he is fit for office.
Mr Mosley, 68, is suing the News of the World for defamation and invasion of privacy over the newspaper’s allegations that he was involved in a “sick Nazi orgy” with five prostitutes in March.
The head of Formula One’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, testified on Monday in the High Court that while he had been heavily involved in the “S&M” scene for decades, there was never a Nazi element to his sex sessions.
“I can think of few things more unerotic than Nazi role play,” Mr Mosley told the court during a frequently combative and undoubtedly uncomfortable stand in the witness box.
Mr Mosley’s decision to contest such a high-profile case has raised concerns among motor racing associations, sponsors and manufacturers, many of which have already urged him to step down.
He won a vote of confidence to remain in office at a Formula One meeting in Paris last month, in spite of widespread criticism of his behaviour.
Monday’s lurid revelations are likely to fuel further speculation that Mr Mosley is out of touch with the damage the scandal has inflicted on the sport’s image.
Mr Mosley testified that he had developed an interest in role-playing and sadomasochism at a young age.
“I think it is a perfectly harmless activity provided it is between consenting adults who want to do it, are of sound mind, and it is in private,” he said.
His wife of 48 years, however, never knew about his outside interests and was said to be “completely and totally devastated” when the News of the World published the exposé, photos and video footage in March.
The newspaper report, which has been viewed more than 3.5m times, said Mr Mosley had played a concentration camp commandant and a cowering death camp inmate during the session in a Chelsea basement flat.
Ms Mosley rejected those allegations, telling Mr Justice Eady there “was not even a hint” of Nazi behaviour during role-play.
As the son of 1930s Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, whose marriage ceremony was attended by Hitler, Mr Mosley said the family’s Nazi links had been “hanging over” him his entire life.
The News of the World is contesting the action and says publication was in the public interest. Mark Warby QC, representing the tabloid, said it had printed a “legitimate and lawful story”.
“The activities that went on here are not deserving of respect, however much they might have been kept behind closed doors,” he said. “The fact that a person agrees to it, and indeed encourages it and brings it about, is no defence.”
The hearing continues on Wednesday.
