A balanced and objective view Mr Syed . I actually admire a man of his age being able to handle 5 prostitues.

Ed Allen, Whitby, Canada

What are the sources of 'authority'? Of 'respectability'? Is power just a 'fétiche' or something to be used for the common good? Is Max Mosley part of the solution or part of the problem? Is he a 'role model'? In sum, is he worthy of being IN the 'Élite'?

And Wheeldon, he is not doing a good job. F1 has NEVER been so dull a sport and so un-sportly.

Rui, Lisbon,

At the end of the day its not about what he did its the fact that this guy is MARRIED, yet thinks its ok to have sex with 5 prostitutes ? thus, this shows he has no morals, he has betrayed his wife and family and so should not be head of anything.

Damion, Grimsby,

Poor defenceless prostitutes.....................£500 for an afternoon's work. Not top of the range admittedly but do the sums.

Shirley, London,

Nobody has been hurt by this? Perhaps you should call his wife and family and tell them as much. Surely sexual escapades with 5 prostitutes by a married man does not demonstrate good judgment, no matter what the psychological reasoning behind the connotations. We should expect nothing less than impeccable judgment from people in such positions of responsibility!

The very fact that we are having this debate shows that Moseley's position is untenable. As president of the FIA a person in his role should be able to demand respect universally, not just from those who are willing to fight their corner.

Whether you agree with them or not, the statements by Honda, Toyota Mercedes and BMW regarding the matter clearly show that the impact from these revelations mean that he is no longer the right man for the job.

Ross Watson, Manchester, UK

A wise and beautifully written piece, Mr Syed.

David F., Stockholm, Sweden

First and foremost prostitution is the oldest proffesion in the world.
That doesnt mean that I condone it, but im also pragmatique enough to know it will probably never go away, I do however condemn the society we live in for forcing these poor girls out on the streets to fend for themselves, with no one but themselves to offer support and protection, That in my opinion is the disgusting part of prostitution. If we live in a society that helps so little that often young women have no choice but to become prostitutes, the very least we can do is stop this hypocritical whining about how wrong and Immoral it is and set in place safe houses that offer them protection both physicaly and legally, offer them programmes to get them out of the trade and into a more healthy proffesions, afford them regular free medical check ups and teach them about safe sexual practices. eventually we might solve the problem. And to the point about Max well Is he doing a good job? thats what really matters.

Wheeldon, Wellington Nz,

He must go - end of story. I will not watch F1 again until he resigns. I am ashamed to be English.....

Mike Volans, Newark, UK

Mosley must go for one reason only: the silly man got caught out with his pants down. End of matter.

Basil Howitt, Perpignan, France

'Disgust does not carry a shred of moral... force when directed at mutually consenting behaviour'

Is morality really about just the 'public' external world, or does it not have rather more to say about our private inner worlds? Do we really live in a world of mere appearances?

Either:
1. Morality is a product of our subjective feelings - in which case disgust is one of the defining characteristics of 'morality'.
Or:
2. Morality is objective, in which case one might expect the feelings of morally sensible people to overlap with true morality.

I find option 1 disgusting - so I'm with 2.

Being immoral does not mean that Mosley should be hounded any more than the rest of morally vulnerable humanity - but let's call a spade a spade! It may be his personal 'preference', but some preferences are immoral - or else perhaps we should just dispense with morality altogether. Such overweening liberalism leaves us in a sea of unrestrained hedonism.

James , London,

His fantasy isn’t the problem. Many people imagine and act out scenes in the bedroom that are socially considered wrong.

His position of power isn’t the problem. Many leaders have been caught with their trousers down.

The real problem is that he used prostitutes. I am continually stunned by how often people, usually men, don’t see the harm in it. For every man out there who thinks that prostitution is not a big deal, I suggest you sell your body for money. When you are forced to have sex with both women and men, perform sexual acts at the whim of another, and be pimped out without anyone considering your welfare then you can talk.

If he had satisfied his urges with FREE consenting adults, I wouldn’t have batted an eyelash. However, he chose those in human bondage and that is the part that sickens me.

Karen, Chicago, Illinois, USA

I love the way that certain parts of the story get sensationalised by the media. For example the fact that those involved were dressed as Nazis is irrelevant. If the girls were dressed as school girls would that make him a paedofile? If he was dressed as a vicar would that be a religious statement? To be outraged and draw nazi or antisemitic themes from this are frankly just a silly attempts to take the moral high ground.

I appreciate that he holds a position of high responsibility and portrays a message for all of motorsport, and im not saying that he should be let off without any consequences by any means. I just think that all those critisising him of being a sick wierdo need to have a think about their sexual fantasies, and what they would do if they were in a position to make them a reality. Would they really turn the opportunity down?

To those who claim they dont have any fantasies, you need to get an imagination, some emotions and start living a little in my opinion!

Martin, York, UK

Not sure I see what all the fuss is about. S&M romps with prostitutes would probably offend generally accepted tenst of Islam and Christianity as well, so I don't think the Jewish community can claim to be any more offended due to the Nazi angle of the romp. If it's got nothing to do with how he does his job, and given that it was behind closed doors, it's nobody's business.

Steve, London, UK

The difference Matthew, is that you're not a public figurehead.

Those at the head of public industries/organisations have to expect that they will come under scrutiny. It is part and parcel of the role. Any CEO/President knows and accepts that this comes with the territory.

The most important qualities that any President of the FIA (or any governing body) must bring to the position are those of impeccable judgement and credibility.

He certainly failed to display either.

Secondly, Mr Mosley see's it fit to do his dirty laundry in public (witness his comments regarding Sir Jackie Stewart and the whole McLaren/Ferrari escapade). Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

I also think we have a revised definition of a "certified half-wit"...

Greg Barton, Sheffield,

and of course it's not hard to imagine who put pressure on the German manufacturers.

John, London, UK

Some of these comments are absurd. Mosley's leadership of the FIA has nothing remotely to do with sex or sexual morality, its about cars. What Mosley does privately, that his legal and consual, is his concern, and as long as it does not conflict with his public role should not be of any concern to us. We may find his sexual exploits distasteful, but so what? I may find the conventional sex life of a heterosexual married man distasteful, but i don't expect Nick Clegg to resign from public life. Get a grip, we should instead by outraged at the invasion of his privacy and the prurient interest the morally outraged are displaying.

Adam, London,

It's here private life. That's great. It's now public. That's not.

What if I look at child porn? That's my private life, I'm not harming anyone. But I'd be disgusted with the world if I wasn't incarcerated for life for doing that. It's the same situation with Max. His public life should pay for his private life. If he wants to keep on doing that, he can do so after he's resigned when the auto and motosport industry have nothing to do with him.

Wanting Max to stay on because his private life was invaded is simply ridiculous. The simple fact of the matter is it's public, he's now seen as a pervert and motorsport will be damaged if it continues to appear to harbour one such as Max. He is now a lame duck. Evidenced of course by the fact he's already been banned from the Bahrain GrandPrix. All his credibility and respectability on making righteous decisions on racism, cheating, e.t.c have been flushed down the drain along with his character if they ever existed at all.

Jonathan C., Ottawa, Canada

Did Mr Mosley harm any one? If so, let this one come forward and file a complaint. If no one is hurt what's the fuss? Have we all become peeping Toms?

Sesto Rino, Rome, Italy

Any man who pays for sex is despicable, because he is buying transient satisfaction at the cost of the prostitute, whether on drugs or a forced sex worker.
The key is the payment. If he had five girl friends who loved him or just wanted to have group sex with him, then fine.
So, should he resign? I say "yes". I would not want to meet him, socially or professionally.

Roger Perry, Wighill, England

Prostitution is abuse!

Of course he was harming someone!

He was harming millions of women around the world by participating in the monstrous machine know as the sex industry.

Alastair, Liverpool,

Thank you Mathew,
I wonder how many of us would pass the acceptance exams if we had hidden cameras in our bedrooms? I suspect that those that complain the most about Max would likely fare worst.

Rolf Bjork, Marbella, Spain

Nothing wrong except breaking the law.

Well said Cathy Hansen

John Rupert, London, England

You are utterly correct. Viva Max!

Denis Edwards, Shanghai, PRC

It seems that the battle lines are being drawn: on one side there are Toyota, BMW, Mercedes and the crown prince of Bahrain. On the other? Well, a very restrained Bernie Eccs and some lawyers.

In the middle we have the FIA which must be under tremendous pressure to go one way or the other. Unless they jump soon, their freedom of action will be very limited.

Derek Smith, Brighton, UK

"It has been shown that pornography and prostitution can lead to a reduction in violent sexual crime by releasing pent-up tension, but it is also true that they can legitimise the kind of behaviour that leads to criminality."
Where exactly has this been shown??? What is your point here that all men are inherently sexually violent??? The issue here is not one of personal freedoms and what you do behind closed doors, the fact is prostitution is not harmless! Life for women who are prostituted is not Belle de Jour!

SheRa, London,

Why do people keep talking about hypocrisy? Did Mosley outlaw kinky sex in formula one?

HM, London,

Go ahead defend the indefensible and you will be left on the road side or should I say track side with Mr. Mosley.

David Lee McGrath, Castleton, New York

Some basic facts:

A fantasy is not something that one actually does, that is why it's called a "fantasy". Check your dictionary.

In Mr Mosley's position, as far as his family history is concerned, did he have to be so incredibly stupid as to put himself in a position where he might get caught?

In getting caught, is it not just that he should be prepared to accept the consequences, when considering how his actions offend the sensibilities of many people? In life we all, including journalists, have to compromise, in order to avoid offending people.

I too believe in the freedom of people to do what they wish (so long as no-one is hurt and/or unwillingly degraded) in the privacy of his/her own home. However Mr Syed, you have forgotten the 11th commandment, "Thou shal not get caught".

Marc, Paris,

Would you a turn a blind eye to a murder behind a closed door, or someone conceiving a terror plot . i haven't read a more stupid explanation.

2fastnotfurious, Chennai, India

It's the name stupid. If he was Max Smith there would be no story.

colin stoy, london,

We could trot out an endless list of people who have been very good at their jobs but got caught misbehaving privately and paid the price- this guy shoud certainly join them - its the oldest rule in the book - i.e if you have a high profile position you have to behave properly in every area of your life or you'll fall from grace sooner or later.

On a separate note there wont be much sympathy coming from McLaren in Woking on this one after the endless and ruthless enquiry around F1 spygate conducted by Mosley last year which by all accounts did nothing to repsect the 'privacy' of a very large number of people many of whom did not or could not have been involved in the affair.

Good riddance we hope!

ENR, London,

Matthew, thank you for this. I'm sure (from what little I have read) that he's probably not a very nice guy. However if he does his job to the best of his abilities and is not harming people then his horizontal shenanigans should be of little interest to us. Unfortunately in this age where sensationalist tabloid headlines are flavour of the month, one is afforded very little privacy.

If he is bad at his job, then get rid. If not; leave be.

TR, Hong Kong,

Buying women for the empowerment purposes of beating & humiliating them is not "fantasy". It's real life--be it private or public. Do the wives & children of Johns consider it "harmless fun" when they risk being outed? Do the wives who may become infected with STDs (example: cervical cancer), or do the millions of women & children who are dying worldwide of AIDs because husbands frequent hookers--consider the health risks "harmless fun & fantasy"? In truth, countries heavily into prostitution (Thailand/Netherlands) are main source transit & destination for millions of children & young women sold & traffiked for the purposes of commercial sex exploitation. Still a harmless "fantasy"? Answer: Just as long as it's not Mosley's or Syed's daughters. For the record Nevada--the only state in the USA where $sex is legal--has the highest rate per capita of rape against women & teen pregnancy in the nation. It's crime ranking across the board offer the highest odds of a crime against families.

cathy hansen, Ruckersville, Virginia, USA

If you choose a career in public life where you are frequently asked to sit in judgement, both technically and morally, on the behavior of others, you'd better take a long look at your own
life. If it doesn't measure up to your publicly professed high standards then you should find another job. Hypocrites are never popular in positions of power.

Incidentally Mosley is often described as the 'F1 Boss' but his job as President of the FIA is much bigger and more important than that. The FIA is a sort of global NGO which operates as an agency on behalf of most nations to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users. It also governs most of the world's motor car sport.

JohnM, Stromeferry,

Matthew - surely your teacher must have told you at least one..... "life isn't fair".

Simon, Leicester,

When you are in such an important position as head of the FIA, you simply cannot be caught 'with your trousers down' in such a way as he has. He is simply a laughing stock and all respect for him is now gone. If he were the slightest bit honourable then he would resign immediately.

Matt, Napoli, Italy

THe fact that the theme of this sordid event was based on Nazism (a now extinct phenomenon of over 60 years ago) is irrelevant. The most important point is that when you are in a certain position of authority, then you have to act accordingly and that means not getting involved in such things. If our civilisation has any morality left, then he will be forced to resign and pushed into a social exile for what he has done!

Teresa, Rome, Italy

Quite frankly, I think there is a limit beyond which what certain behaviours become unacceptable. This "behind closed doors" is becoming a bit of an easy-way-out stereotype: by no means I must accept everything that happens behind the closed door of someone in such an influential position. I personally wouldn't use the same baker, if I knew he had taken part in something so depressingly sickening. Sad old man.

Luca, Beijing, China

I think that Matthew's conflating two simple points. Yes, what Max Mosley does behind closed doors is his own business and I think all of us would be a lot happier to be left in ignorance of his proclivities. The fact that the story has come out is a a sad reflection on our keyhole peeping, voyueristic society (tut tut). However, the fact is that this story is out there, our Max is now attracting the attention of self-righteous prig desperately seeking a public soapbox and that means that he cannot perform his public function. It's sad, it's none of our business, but his career is over and the sooner he recognises that the better.

Mike, London,

Will the millions of BBC viewers who tuned in to a comedy which was in part based on the titillation of a Nazi dominatrix all resign?

'Allo 'Allo anyone?


Sexual fantasies and fetishes tend often to be based on doing something we know to be "wrong" and would never indulge in in normal life.

There are many reasons for Max to go, but this is not one of them. Ultimately, though, the fact that no-one will want to be seen in public with Max will probably see him "retiring" at the end of the season.

Keith, Edinburgh,

"We may speculate that Mosley's sexual motivation sprang not from anti-Semitism but the powerful erotic instinct allied to the assuagement of guilt. "

We may also speculate with, in my view, equal likelihood that this was an expression of his real nature that, at other times, he is forced to suppress because of its social unacceptability.

Those of Nazi persuasion are not noted for being completely unbiased when it comes to dealing with those of Jewish or Negro extraction. There will, no doubt, be a court case. If this upholds the view the NOTW has taken of the events recorded in the video then it must surely cause considerable doubt as to the man's suitability to hold a position requiring scrupulous fairness to people from all ethnic backgrounds.

Colin Mill, Glossop, England

If the FIA only had to worry about Formula 1 then this article might have a point but sadly the real point is missed here. In fact the main activity of the FIA should be to represent millions of ordinary road users who belong to national associations like ADAC in Germany or the RAC and AA in the UK. What minister of transport or European commissioner will want to be photographed with the FIA President now let alone take him seriously? He can no longer fulfil his obligations. This is beginning to look like another despot currently in the news trying to cling to power at all costs. It seems that the private jet is hard to give up. Time for change.

Mike, Antibes, France

Leave the man alone. Onw should rejoice that he is still active in that department. What goes on BEHIND closed doors REMAINS behind closed doors. It has NOTHING to do with anyone, other than the 2/3/4/5/6 people behind the closed doors.
Jeez, I wonder what people are saying about me, whilst in the WC???
Get a life people!

ArtGee, Durban, South Africa