In October, I learned something which many of you already knew: Steve Coogan is a small-r republican, as in he does not like the British monarchy whatsoever. He thinks royalists are “idiots” who support the “oppressors of the working class.” He’s also a frequent critic of the British media, and he also sued the Mirror Group and settled with them in 2017, and his case was about hacking and illegal newsgathering methods as well. Well, on Friday, Coogan gave several interviews about Prince Harry’s legal victory, and Coogan praised Harry’s bravery and called for lots of changes. His comments were fascinating. Some highlights:
Admiration for Harry: In an interview with Sky’s Friday Night with Niall Paterson, Coogan praised the ruling, which he said had been “a long time coming”. He added: “I’m not a royalist but I have great admiration for Prince Harry for not entering into the Faustian pact that the Royal Family has entered into before with the tabloid press. He broke that. It was a very bold, brave thing to do and I think there will be repercussions.”
Accountability: The actor also called for reform in the media industry as he described self-regulation of newspapers by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), which was founded in 2014 following the Leveson Inquiry, as a “sham” and “window dressing”. “We want an accountable press,” he added.
Harry’s case could be the start of something: A High Court ruling that Prince Harry’s phone had been hacked by Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) is the “start of something”, actor Steve Coogan said. Coogan said the ruling exposed “widespread contempt” by newspaper editors for the Leveson Inquiry, which looked at the ethics of the press.
Britain needs another Leveson inquiry: “What this shows is the contempt that newspaper editors had for a judge-led public inquiry. Now we’ve got prima facia evidence of crimes having been committed, perjury being one of the most serious. The police need to apply the law evenly and fairly, without fear or favour. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed.”
Questions for Keir Starmer: Coogan told the BBC the second part of the Leveson Inquiry, which was officially abandoned by the Conservative government in 2017, should now take place. He said he would like to know what Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer would do about it if he became prime minister. “Is he going to fold like a deckchair as previous, mostly Conservative prime ministers, have?” he asked.Criticism of IPSO: Coogan told the BBC a new regulatory body was needed, claiming Ipso was “run by the press, for the press”. “What we need to see is proper, independent regulation, not run by the press, not run by the government, but independent voices,” he added.
On Piers Morgan’s hissy fit: “Piers Morgan could have quite easily received illegally gained information whilst he was editor of the Mirror, used that knowing it was illegally gathered, and still be able to claim that he hadn’t instructed anyone to hack anyone’s phone or he personally hadn’t hacked anyone’s phone.”
Yeah, from what I’ve seen of IPSO, it’s bullsh-t. It is supposed to be the regulatory organization for the British press, but the organization IS toothless and they barely do anything other than gather complaints and issue meek statements. It’s an added layer of meaningly bureaucracy when really, people should be able to hold these press outlets accountable in real time, as they’re breaking the law or as they’re enacting their “vendetta journalism.” As for what Coogan says about Harry… there’s a lot of respect for what Harry has done in these corners, with people who understand the scope of press criminality. Hugh Grant is also a big fan of Harry, and I believe Hugh and Harry have been in communication for years.
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- UK premiere of The Lost King at the Ham Yard Hotel, central London. Featuring: Steve Coogan Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 26 Sep 2022 Credit: Ian West/PA Images/INSTARimages./Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
- UK premiere of The Lost King at the Ham Yard Hotel, central London. Featuring: Steve Coogan Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 26 Sep 2022 Credit: Ian West/PA Images/INSTARimages./Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
- Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex arrives for the annual WellChild Awards 2023 at the Hurlingham Club in London. Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex Where: London, United Kingdom When: 07 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
- The Duke of Sussex gives a speech, as host Gaby Roslin looks on, during the annual WellChild Awards 2023, at the Hurlingham Club. Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex Where: London, United Kingdom When: 07 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
It seems to me that anyone who isn’t in a not-so-invisible contract with the press, or anyone who doesnt benefit directly from the ability to lie and say whatever you want about public figures, should praise Harry for this. The British press seems to control that country – when tabloids can make the head of state dance to their tune, its a problem.
Yep. I suspect this has already made Harry more popular in celebrity circles. Hopefully he’ll gain some allies as a result.
The British tabloid press seems to rule that country🎯 at least, it appears that way from the outside looking in. From what I’ve read, Starmer does not support a levenson 2 or any substantial media reform.
Makes you wonder what the Brit tabloid press, Murdoch in particular, actually has in their safes in terms of kompromat on Starmer and other govt officials/party heads.
I don’t think they’d even need kompromot. Politicians want power. Could Starmer and Labour win if all the major papers were in a negative drumbeat against them day in a day out? It’s enough to bring them to heel.
@Becks, “The British press seems to control that country”.
I agree! I’ve said before the main problems of that country is the “holy trinity”- the British press, the British Royal family, and the Tory government, with a side branch of the corrupt London police.
It’s time to clean Fleet Street.
Fleet Street overdue for a Fleet enema. Yup.
Yes, to everything he says. He is the voice of common sense.
Good for him for saying what he has and I’m sure he will be punished for saying it by the press. More people in higher places need to stand up against the BM but i won’t hold my breath. The tentacles of corruption are in many places.
In my opinion Prince William made a huge error in striking a deal with Murdoch. He should have taken them to court and exposed all of the wrong doing. Instead he sold out the public for the cash. Now to the public who aren’t royal sycophants he looks shady. What a missed opportunity. He could have set his family up as not being beholden to the tabloids. He is weak and a Judas to his brother.
What that deal says to me, Will has skeletons to hide. Harry doesn’t fear the press because they have already reported on him freely since he was a child, also he put all possible stories out there with his book. People were asking why he was sharing this or that embarrassing story. He put it all out there, now there is nothing to report, even the made-up stories don’t get a lot of attention. With Will, the press was never fully brave, they criticized him about his work, but there was very little embarrassing stories. I am sure with the deal he made, he made them put all possible headlines into a vault. Trump did the same with National Enquirer.
“Will has skeletons to hide”. In one word, Rose. But I reckon that’s the tip of the iceberg.
There’s no way he could have refused the deal. In return for the press’ silence he’s got good press and the smearing of Harry and Meghan.
One thing I’m confused about. Was William ever actually trying to sue and go to court? Or was it always just a secret suing with the goal being a settlement? As I write this, I feel like this has been discussed and I’ve just forgotten.
Which makes him no different than the tabloid press hacking people phones. Sorry U.K you will have a douche bag as a future King. Definitely lacking in moral character. To even go along with targeting of his brother and his brother family by the tabloid press shows he has some serious issues.
He is correct.
Corruption must be called out. Change must happen. Worldwide.
And yes, Charles and William should both know better than to get in bed with Murdoch types. N
Keir Starmer has already announced that there will be no Levenson 2. He’s desperate to get the press on his side so he’s backed away from all the pledges he made in his leadership bid.
I hope Piers Morgan and other journo bosses quaked when Harry declared, in his statement, that “the mission continues.”
Harry’s take-no-prisoners resolve should make them very afraid.
They should be afraid. Harry has demonstrated that he is tenacious and patient. He is able to plan and to execute his plan. His military background has given him a strong work ethic and a focus on achieving the mission.
And on top of that he has a sounding board in Meghan. She’s highly intelligent and strategic. The two of them make a formidable team.