09/04/2008
NEWS STORY
Steeles, the legal firm action for Max Mosley, this afternoon issued the following:
On Friday April 4 2008, Max Mosley issued legal proceedings in the High Court of Justice against News Group Newspapers Limited claiming unlimited damages, including aggravated and exemplary damages, for breach of confidence, unlawful invasion of his privacy and misuse of information following publication in the News of the World on 30 March 2008 of allegations concerning his private life.
Today Mr Justice Eady gave his view on the matter in response to Mr Mosley's application for an interim injunction. In his Judgement Mr Justice Eady stated that publication by News Group of photographs and video film "undoubtedly" engaged Mr Mosley's right to privacy under the European Convention of Human Rights and stated that he had "little difficulty" in deciding that there was not sufficient public interest in the publication.
With regard to the News of the World's argument that the photographs demonstrated elements of Nazism, although he stated that the court could draw its own conclusion at trial, he indicated that, on the basis of the material put forward by the News of the World, "it certainly appears very weak", and, "it may be the Court will in due course hold that there is nothing in the allegations of Nazi role-play", as Mr Mosley contends.
Eady J, with "reluctance" and "despite the fact that there is no legitimate public interest in its further publication", felt unable to order an injunction only because of the widespread dissemination of the invasive material on various websites.
Mr Mosley intends to vigorously pursue News Group Newspapers Limited for damages and welcomes the Judges comments. At Mr Mosley's request directions have been set for an early trial. Whilst Mr Mosley has every intention of getting the largest sum possible in damages from the publishers of the News of the World, so that they should be deterred from doing this to others in the future. Mosley intends to donate any damages in the case to the FIA Foundation which promotes road safety, safety in motorsport and the environment."