London: Max Mosley, president of motorsports governing body FIA, has been under pressure after a British tabloid reported that he engaged in sex acts with prostitutes that involved Nazi role-playing.

The News of the World reported on Sunday that Mosley, 67, paid five prostitutes 2,500 pounds in cash and then engaged in an orgy that lasted almost five hours. Mosley, the son of British Union of Fascists founder Sir Oswald Mosley, is alleged to be seen on a video that shows him screaming orders in German and lashing girls wearing concentration camp uniforms. The man on the video - allegedly Mosley - is also seen to be whipped by the prostitutes before engaging in sexual acts. He then drank a cup of tea with them.

Mosley's father, who died in 1980, was also known for having Adolf Hitler as guest of honour at his wedding that was held in the Berlin home of Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels. An FIA spokesman said the organisation would not comment on a personal matter.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he was shocked but believed Mosley's position as FIA president was not in jeopardy. Ecclestone told the Times newspaper: "I've known him an awful long time. If somebody had told me this without the evidence I would have found it difficult to believe.

"Assuming it's all true, what people do privately is up to them. I don't honestly believe it affects the sport in any way. Knowing Max, it might be all a bit of a joke."

However, Holocaust Centre Director Stephen Smith told the newspaper that Mosley should not stay on as FIA president.

"As Mr Mosley has condemned the racism in motor sport, he should live up to the standards he sets," Smith said. "This is an insult to millions of victims, survivors and their families. He should apologise. He should resign from the sport."

Former world champion Sir Stirling Moss, who had a Jewish father, is quoted by the Times as saying: "I don't see how he can continue. I hope he can, frankly, because I think he's very good at what he does. I suppose what goes on behind closed doors is his business, but when a thing comes out like this ... It's an absolute shocker."

Source : IANS