Stephen Fry: 'I'm such an arse'

Stephen Fry has said that he feels miserable at how his comments regarding the abuse of MPs expenses have been reported in the media.

The comedian and author had described the scandal as "not important" and drew comparisons with journalists' own expense accounts, prompting Piers Morgan to call him "stupid" and "naive".

On his Twitter page, Fry wrote: "Seem happily to have stirred things up re. MPs. Newsnight showed interview apparently. Hope people read me aright!"

However, he later told a follower: "The BBC clip missed out most of my attack on journo & biz hypocrisy... just wanted to light a fire! It all matters."

Fry then added: "Oh, I'm such an arse. Why can't I keep my mouth shut? Miserable all day at being portrayed as 'the MPs' friend'. As if. My own fault tho..."