Formula One boss Mosley wins privacy action against News of the World
Updated on 24 July 2008
The News of the World was not justified in intruding on Max Mosley's privacy by reporting on his involvement in sadomasochistic roleplay, a judge has found.
Max Mosley never denied taking part in a sadomasochistic orgy with five prostitutes - but said it had no Nazi overtones and claimed its publication by the News of the World was a devastating invasion of his privacy.
At the high court today Mr Justice Eady agreed and ordered the paper to pay the boss of Formula 1's governing body £60,000 in compensation.
With costs the tabloid's overall bill will hit £850,000. Afterwards, Mosley, expressed delight at the judgement but the papers editor said the British press was being strangled by stealth.
Mr Justice Eady said: "I decided that the claimant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in relation to sexual activities (albeit unconventional) carried on between consenting adults on private property."
Mr Mosley had been accused of taking part in a "sick Nazi orgy" with five prostitutes.
