I will continue to help the political causes I believe in in any way I can.

I do think it's strange that I get associated with Iraq more than the people who were Foreign Secretary or Defence Secretary. It's because of my closeness to Tony [Blair], which I don't regret at all. I think that was a privilege.

My closest friend, who died not long ago, is buried near Marx's grave in Highgate cemetery, so I see the gaggle of admirers laying roses at the foot of his tombstone regularly. I have never been tempted to leave flowers there myself. Great theories, shame about the practice. Marx did many things. But inventing class was not one of them.

In an ideal world, it would not take a film star to get the media focused on mental illness.

The media are obsessed with spin doctors and with portraying them as a bad thing, yet seem addicted to our medicine.

The junk food of political journalism...all reshuffle stories are crap.

There is something in me that makes me see things through.