Mosley is taking legal action over the newspaper claims

Motorsport's world governing body has appointed a barrister to conduct an independent inquiry into allegations about its president Max Mosley.

Anthony Scrivener QC will look into newspaper claims that there were Nazi connotations to an orgy in which Mosley was involved with prostitutes.

The 68-year-old has apologised for any embarrassment but denied there were any Nazi connotations to his actions.

Mosley faces a vote of confidence by the FIA membership on 3 June.

Despite widespread calls for him to stand down, Mosley intends to carry on as FIA president.

Mosley, the son of British Union of Fascists leader Sir Oswald Mosley, is taking legal action over the claims and seeking "unlimited damages".

An FIA statement said: "Senior officers of the FIA have appointed Anthony Scrivener QC as an independent expert to undertake a full analysis of the available evidence relating to allegations in the News of the World that Mr Mosley was involved in 'Nazi-style' activities.

"Mr Mosley has welcomed this appointment.

"Mr Scrivener QC will provide an opinion on whether the available evidence supports the use by the News of the World of this description.

"Should the FIA extraordinary general assembly so decide, this opinion will be available to the member clubs of the FIA on 3 June.

"Mr Scrivener QC is an eminent member of the bar of England and Wales and in 2006 was elected by the FIA general assembly to serve as a judge on the FIA International Court of Appeal, the highest independent legal authority in motorsport."