Legal Threats Block Ecclestone Biography

A biography of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been pulled from publication, after legal wrangles and allegations against the author by Ecclestone, according to a report in London's The Times newspaper.

The book, Bernie's Game, was commissioned by publisher Little, Brown, in 1997. It would reveal how Ecclestone had managed to gain such control over Formula One, a situation that is unique in world sport, after first making his mark as a motorbike dealer in his twenties.

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 last weekend, noting: "I've always been Tory, though I actually think now that all Blair has been as prime minister is watered-down old Conservatism."

The author of the book, Terry Lovell, an investigative reporter who has previously had books published on privacy and the Church of England's finances, recalled a confrontational telephone call from Ecclestone, while the publisher Little, Brown had received "belligerent" lawyer's letters sent by Schilling & Lom, acting for both Ecclestone and friend FIA President Max Mosley, with at least one of these letters on behalf of Mosley threatening to stop the book.

Although he has not seen the book, Ecclestone is believed to be worried about claims made about his business dealings in the 1970s and 1980s, with Ecclestone protesting, "There's nothing there. I can also give you my 100% honour that I've never cheated anybody in my life."

Lovell interviewed 65 people for the book, including people formerly involved in Formula One, business associates and other members of Ecclestone's family, including his first wife and their daughter. These last interviews antagonised Ecclestone, with Lovell claiming that Ecclestone telephoned him, saying that he would "come after me 'with guns blazing - anything I can lay my hands on' for allegedly causing his family aggravation".

Ecclestone confirmed that he did make the call, adding, "I might have said something about guns blazing, but it's rubbish to suggest that I was being threatening. I was upset because of my family. He'd been snooping around them. But I also wanted to be reasonable with him."

Last week, Little, Brown and author Lovell agreed to cancel the book, which had originally been delivered 18 months ago. Editorial director of Little, Brown, Alan Sampson, agreed that the publisher's lawyers had delayed publication of the book. "I'm sure we could have resolved the issues, but I also felt the book was time-sensitive as we were now going to miss another grand prix season."

Robert Smith, author Terry Lovell's agent, hasn't given up on having the book published, and has said he will take the book to other publishers.