Steve Coogan in fiery News of the World 'Newsnight' debate: Video
Published Jul 9 2011, 01:35 BST | By Paul Millar
The 45-year-old comedian, an alleged target of phone hacking by the Sunday tabloid, praised the outcome as a "victory for decency and humanity".
"I have to say that [this week] is a momentous event. A lot of people have been saying it's a bad day for the press. I think it's a wonderful day for the press. People knew this was going on but accepted it because they thought it was part of the landscape to tolerate this kind of behaviour," he told Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis.
"Let's not forget that the News of the World is, as far as I'm concerned - and always has been - misogynistic, xenophobic, single parent-hating, asylum seeker-hating... and it's gone to the wall, and I'm delighted!"
Backed by fellow guest Greg Dyke, Coogan then attacked ex-News of the World reporter Paul McMullan in a fiery exchange. Watch the debate below:
The News of the World, which will be in publication for the last time this Sunday after 168 years, has been widely criticised for allegedly tapping into the phones of the murdered Milly Dowler, as well as the families of deceased army servicemen.
Best known in the UK for his alter egos Alan Partridge and Paul & Pauline Calf, Coogan fell foul of the Sunday newspaper when it suggested he was in a relationship with Courtney Love.
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They said after the closure of the NOW , that they'd issue a version of The Sun for Sundays. I can't wait for Murdoch's son to be arrested, either here or in the U.S.A.
July 10th 2011 at 3:33pm
McMullen is obsessed and envious of the money people have earned, good riddance to the little skidmark and his arswipe newspaper.
July 10th 2011 at 2:04pm
love it or hate it , the n.o.w. is tittle tattle , ive a newsagents , wether you come in to buy the mail or the times , vast majority of people look at the front page of the n.o.w. people like scandal and sleaze, it will just come back under a different name,
July 10th 2011 at 1:48pm
I would like to point out that not all journalists are like Paul. What a disgrace to British journalism.
July 10th 2011 at 5:22am
"You're not a journalist, you know you're not!" - Steve Coogan. If the staff of notw are slashed then I feel desperate for them. If all their best boffins are rocketed to a rebranded Sun on Sunday, then I hope the country sees through the sham. Hyperbole intended.
July 10th 2011 at 1:45am