Steve Coogan condemns super-rich for manipulating environmental issues to make themselves look good

Actor plays fast-fashion tycoon in new film Greed

Steve Coogan has criticised the super-rich for manipulating environmental issues to make themselves appear “wonderful”.

The actor, who plays the owner of a string of fast-fashion brands in the satirical film Greed, which is based on Topshop billionaire Sir Philip Green, said he is baffled how the industry has escaped scrutiny.

“The one thing there doesn't seem to be a great deal of conversation about is the huge imbalance of wealth in the world... I found that annoying,” Coogan told The Big Issue.

“They can actually spin environmental issues and make them work for them.

“Keeping quiet about their transgressions and shouting from the rooftops about small concessions so everyone thinks they are wonderful and some liberal-minded people might pay a bit extra for their products.

”People buy Fairtrade coffee [but] for some reason clothes seem to have escaped that kind of scrutiny.”

The Alan Partridge star, who plays fashion tycoon Sir Richard McCreadie — nicknamed McGreedy — in the Michael Winterbottom-directed film, added: “I’m hoping a discussion will start that results in people buying fewer clothes and making them last longer.

“I’m not going to convince everyone but you have to start somewhere.”

Green was once referred to as the “king of the high street” and has previously been estimated to be worth as much as £4.9bn.

The businessman owns a variety of high street brands including Topshop and Topman, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins, all of which make up the Arcadia Group.

However, the retail magnate has come under fire in recent years after his retail empire reportedly came close to collapse and he faced allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and racial abuse.

Speaking of Green's influence on his character in Greed, Coogan said: “There are even direct quotes from him in this film that we give to our character.”

The film, which also stars David Mitchell, Isla Fisher and the late Caroline Flack, is released in cinemas on Friday.