FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[8-ball]

From The Sunday Times

Max Mosley, the Formula One boss, has won record damages in a privacy action against the News of the World after the newspaper claimed he took part in a "sick Nazi orgy".

Delivering his verdict at the High Court, Mr Justice Eady in London awarded the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) president £60,000.

The tabloid had claimed that the son of the wartime fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley had developed an unhealthy addiction to sadomasochism, spending £75,000 a year on violent orgies.

However, Mr Mosley’s lawyer said that the newspaper had recklessly ignored his right to privacy and was only interested in the material gain from publishing its exclusive story and the accompanying video, which sent its website ratings soaring.

Mr Justice Eady heard closing speeches in a case that was considered crucial in defining where the balance of human rights lies in reporting violent umpalumpa behind closed doors.

Once again Max wins and his position strengthens as head of the FIA.

[KyrosV]

Max:

< "Cant touch this! do do do do......do do.......do doo!")

[bud]

[EwanM]

According to the judge. It's ok for all of us to hire some "Help" and take em behind closed doors. :S

Still doesn't mean its right. Does he have no morals?

[bud]

wasnt it concrete that one of the girls was chanting s*** about Aryan race?

[McLaren Fan]

The verdict is no surprise, especially saying as the News of the World's key witnesses did not testify. Mosley's privacy may have been breached, but the breach has made his private life public and shown that he is not fit to run the FIA. He is selfishly continuing in his role, damaging the image of motorsport the world over, and is now putting in place long-term plans for the sport's future - strange for a guy is meant to be leaving office next year.

[racechick]

Poo! Poo! Poo!. Kind of expected it but still POO!!

[bud]

"As the elected head of the FIA, Mr Mosley is the leader of the richest sport in the world, with a global membership of almost 125 million people," said Myler. "This newspaper has always maintained that because of his status and position he had an obligation to honour the standards which his vast membership had every right to expect of him. Taking part in depraved and brutal S&M orgies on a regular basis does not in our opinion constitute the fit and proper behaviour to be expected of someone in his hugely influential position."

"We are delighted that the judge has acknowledged that Mr Mosley is largely the author of his own misfortune," he continued. "This is what the judge said about his reckless behaviour: 'Many would think that if a prominent man puts himself year after year into the hands of prostitutes he is gambling in placing so much trust in them. There is a risk of exposure or blackmail inherent in such conduct. To the casual observer it might seem that the claimant's behaviour was reckless and almost self-destructive. It could be thought unreasonable to absolve him of all responsibility, placing himself and all of his family in a predicament in which they now find themselves. It is part and parcel of human dignity, that one must take at least some responsibility to one's own actions.'"

Despite a 'bloody nose', Myler and his paper can take comfort from the fact that punitive damages were not awarded, even though today's ruling, according to many within the media industry, sounds the death knell for 'kiss and tell' stories the staple diet of tabloids such as the News of the World.

"We are also pleased that the judge did not award Mr Mosley exemplary damages," said Myler. "Significantly, he found that the notion of such punitive awards has no place in this creeping law of privacy."

Referring to the implications today's ruling has, he added: "The News of the World believes passionately that its readers deserve to be informed when their trust is placed in elected leaders and public officials has been violated. It is not for the rich and famous, the powerful and the influential to dictate the news agenda just because they have the money and the means to gag the free press.

"Unfortunately, our press is less free today after another judgement based on privacy laws emanating from Europe," he added. "How those very general laws should work in practice has never been debated in the UK Parliament. English judges are left to apply those laws to individual cases using guidelines from judges in Strasbourg who are unfriendly to freedom of expression. The result is that our media are being strangled by stealth. That is why the News of the World will remain committed to fighting for its readers' right to know."

[AT&T Williams]

The verdict is no surprise, especially saying as the News of the World's key witnesses did not testify. Mosley's privacy may have been breached, but the breach has made his private life public and shown that he is not fit to run the FIA. He is selfishly continuing in his role, damaging the image of motorsport the world over, and is now putting in place long-term plans for the sport's future - strange for a guy is meant to be leaving office next year.

100% aggree. It's a bloody disgrace

[7UpJordan]

Well that was more predictable than who finishes in the top 4 of the Premiership every season.

[headless]

Yes everyone knew he would win that case.
So whats going on with is wife then?

"Should She stay or should She go now?
Should She stay or should She go now?
If She goes there will be trouble
An if she stays it will be double
So come on and let her know"

MAX MOSELY

Actually i'm too scared to write anything - he might take legal action.

[stonemonkey]

That Judge needs to get his head checked............... For lice.

[Rivelution]

Max should just choke on some male genitalia. I bet he'll run again at the end of '09 like I think Sir Jackie said.

[bmwpower]

As someone who has practiced Law in the US, and while I am not to familiar with the laws in the UK, its no doubt that Mr. Mosley's privacy was violated. While I considered him unfit to run the FIA based how he has run the FIA in the past, he does have a right to do what he does behind closed door short of murder. What exactly did he do??, he had a fantasy with a bunch of prostitutes because he's got the means and the resources to do so and the only person he should have to answer to is his wife based on his oath to their marriage. Was his privacy violated, yes because there was an intent to photograph Mr. Mosley for the sheer purpose of compensation, like him or hate him, EVERYONE has the right to protect their right to privacy.

[racechick]

What about Freedom of speech??