Max Mosley wins vote of confidence
Times Online and Agencies
Max Mosley, the president of the FIA, has won a vote of confidence from the sport's governing body despite lurid revelations of his part in an alleged Nazi-style orgy with five prostitutes.
After a two-hour discussion at the FIA headquarters in Paris, the 68-year-old won the vote by a clear margin. There were 103 votes in favour of Mosley, 55 against, with seven abstentions and four null papers.
Mosley was caught on video by the News of the World allegedly indulging in sado-masochistic sex for several hours in Chelsea.
Since the revelations, Mosley has fought to clear his name to survive in office despite a deafening chorus from those who believe that he should have stepped down, even ignoring a late plea from Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One rights holder.
Critics claimed the agenda was biased in Mosley's favour because although there was an opportunity for “statements from members” prior to Mosley's address, there was no opportunity either for an opposing case to be formally set out or for members to question their president.
Up until a week ago it was thought Mosley would come through the vote unscathed and so it proved. In recent days a significant number of automobile clubs, representing 13 per cent of the vote, had added their voice to the chorus for him to resign.
Mosley has been president of the FIA for the past 15 years. His mandate is due to expire in October next year.