Coogan loses £30k over News of the World libel action
Comedian Steve Coogan has admitted that he lost £30k in his libel action against the News of the World (despite winning) after spending £400k on lawyers fees and winning just £370k in compensation.
Coogan made the admission whilst speaking at the Guardian’s Open Weekend where he said he was “nervous” that a parliamentary report into privacy and freedom of expression will be too lenient on newspapers.
Coogan voiced concern that a committee of MPs and peers would give the media too much leeway.
"I am nervous about the privacy thing; I'm not hugely hopeful about that," Coogan said. "I think that the press will get more ground than they deserve."
Pressed on the issue Coogan refused to endorse a full blown privacy law however.