Ecclestone and Stewart call for Mosley’s exit

The calls for Max Mosley to step down as head of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the world governing body for motor racing, cranked up a few gears at the weekend, with former champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart and Moseley's one-time ally Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One boss, demanding that he resign. Mosley's head has been on the chopping block ever since the News of the World revealed in March that he had enjoyed a sado-masochistic orgy - allegedly with Nazi overtones - involving five call-girls.

Stewart and Ecclestone's calls are timely: on Tuesday the FIA will finally decide at an extraordinary meeting in Paris whether his bedroom antics are sufficient reason for him to be sacked.

Speaking to Scotland on Sunday, Stewart said: "Were he an honourable man he would already have resigned because this is a bridge too far. He accepts that this [orgy] happened yet he doesn't accept that it infringes upon his ability to do his job. How can he say that? The bottom line is whatever argument he presents he cannot possibly perform his functions as FIA president."

Ecclestone, who initially dismissed Mosley's difficulties, is now adamant he should go. "If Max wants me to be the enemy he should be very careful because if he makes me an enemy I could make sure he never whips anybody again."

However, despite some of the biggest guns in the industry lining up against him ­ - even driver Lewis Hamilton allegedly refuses to attend any F1 events he is at ­ - Mosley claims his private life is his own affair and refuses to go quietly. Referring to Stewart's outburst, Mosley said: "He's a figure of fun among drivers. He goes round dressed up as a 1930s music hall man. He's a certified half-wit."

In a last-ditch attempt to save himself, Mosley, the son of the former fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, wrote to all 222 of the motoring clubs that are members of the FIA last week, effectively saying that they had to vote for him because there was no one else who could hold the organisation together.

Ecclestone in unimpressed. "What he says in the letter is wrong. He is saying 'You have to keep me, I'm the only one who can do the job'. What Max is saying to the clubs is that they are idiots, that not one of them could do the job. I'd be insulted if I were them."