Mosley seeks French ban on video

Max Mosley has filed legal action in Paris to prevent the video that provoked the scandal that has brought his FIA presidency into question being accessed via the Internet in France.

According to legal filings seen by Reuters on Thursday, Mosley, the subject of lurid allegations by the British tabloid newspaper the News of the World, has also asked for paper copies of the newspaper publishing the images in France to be seized.

The request is scheduled to be examined by a judge in Paris on Friday morning and a judgment is expected either on the same day, or early next week.

The News of the World published a front-page expose story last month with photographs it said showed Mosley engaged in lewd sexual conduct with prostitutes, which it claimed featured elements of Nazism.

The newspaper also published a video on its website showing Mosley with the prostitutes.

The video was temporarily removed before subsequently being restored after a court refused to issue an order blocking it.

Mosley denied any Nazi connotations and is claiming unlimited damages against the News of the World. He has resisted repeated calls to resign as head of the FIA, from automobile associations around the world, manufacturers and leading figures involved in Formula One.

Mosley`s lawyer Philippe Ouakrat said his client was claiming protection under French privacy laws that are more restrictive than British legislation.

In addition to the ban on broadcasting the video, he is also seeking 25,000 euros ($39,900) in damages for each offence.

Mosley`s father Oswald was the founder of the pre-World War Two British Union of Fascists.

18.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Mosley    ▪ www.autosport.com