Monday 21st August 2000

A biography of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was pulled from publication after legal wrangles and allegations against the author by Ecclestone, according to a report in London’s Times newspaper. Among several claims made in the book, is that the donation of one million pounds to the British Labour Party before the last election was an attempt to ensure Formula One was exempted from the banning of tobacco advertising, a claim which Ecclestone denies: “I gave the money because I was asked to by a third party,” said Ecclestone. “I’ve always been Tory, though I actually think now that all Blair has been as prime minister is watered-down old Conservatism.”