Paper to send Mosley tape to FIA Senate

Members of the FIA Senate are to be sent full copies of the videotape at the centre of the Max Mosley controversy so they can judge his activities for themselves.

Amid increasing pressure Mosley to resign his FIA presidency over the revelations about his private life, the News of the World newspaper made further claims in its latest edition on Sunday.

It also said that it would send copies of the video of him and five prostitutes to the eight members of the FIA Senate, and make it available to any of the national authorities that make up the governing body.

In a leader column, the newspaper stated: “We absolutely refute and challenge his assertion that we have invented any elements of his depravity. Which is why we plan to send copies of our video evidence to Senate members representing the global motor-racing community, which will decide on the future of the president. Their own statutes decree anyone who inflicts “moral injury” on the FIA by “words, deeds or writings” may be expelled.”

Former grand prix driver Martin Brundle added his voice to calls for Mosley to resign over the matter in his own column in The Sunday Times.

“The specific detail of the scandal surrounding him is largely irrelevant in my view,” wrote Brundle. “The sporting regulation he has used over the years to keep teams in check relates to bringing the sport into disrepute.

“If you live by the sword you die by the sword. Sitting on the fence on this issue for any of us inside the sport is not an option. We must condone or condemn the situation he finds himself in.

“Mosley`s position is untenable. He would have received much more sympathy and understanding had he tendered his resignation last Monday morning. His stance has inflamed the situation and he could never now make a keynote speech or force through penalties or regulations with the necessary credibility - with the motoring associations, the teams, the car manufacturers, the sponsors, the fans, the media or the drivers.”

Mosley has called an extraordinary meeting of the FIA general assembly to discuss the matter, and there is the possibility that a vote could take place at that meeting about whether or not he should carry on in his role.

6.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ FIA, Mosley    ▪ www.autosport.com