Powerful people holding group spanking sessions in private deserve to have secret cameras planted in their homes, the Editor of the News of the World told the hearing.

The public had a right to know about the sexual behaviour of Max Mosley because he was the head of the international motor racing organisation the FIA, which influenced policies on transport issues, as well as running Formula One, the judge heard.

Colin Myler justified his decision to publish by saying that some motor racing bodies had been upset by Mr Mosley’s sadomasochism habit.

James Price, QC, for Mr Mosley, asked Mr Myler whether going to a private flat for an S&M session justified the use of a hidden camera, to which Mr Myler replied: “I think so, yes.”

Mr Price then asked: “Is that because millions of motorists around the world and motor sports enthusiasts need to know about Mr Mosley’s private sexual activity?”

Mr Myler responded: “We believe there is a reasonable expectation for readers to find out if Mr Mosley is engaging in these practices.”

He accepted that everybody expected their private sexual life to be respected and his newspaper had broken a taboo by spying on intimate behaviour. He denied breaching Mr Mosley’s right to privacy, however.

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