Paul Gascoigne Blames Mirror Phone Hacking for Paranoia and Alcoholism

Former England international Paul Gascoigne has blamed Mirror Group Newspapers' decision to hack his phone for his paranoia, alcoholism and consideration of suicide.

The ex-Tottenham and Lazio star is one of eight phone-hacking victims to provide evidence against MGN in the ongoing case, as reported by Josh Halliday of The Guardian.

He spoke in the high court, suggesting constant monitoring from MGN can be held accountable for his health problems: "I'd like to trade in my phone for a coffin because these guys have ruined my life."

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MGN admitted to publishing 18 articles in the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People between 2000-10, using stories gathered from bugging Gascoigne's phone. He checked into the Priory clinic in October 2000, an occurrence which led him to considering suicide.

Gascoigne described his experience and how his therapist didn't believe he was being hacked, per Halliday:

"

At the time I was going through a bad time because I knew I was getting hacked. I knew 110 percent. No one believed it. I was speaking to him [the therapist] and it clicked again. He told me I'm paranoid, I’m going through a mental disorder.

I said: 'There's f--k all wrong with me.' I know I'm getting hacked. I know and he put the phone down on us. I never told a lie. I've got nothing to lie about. Nothing. Disgusting c--p.

"

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Halliday provided further detail of Gascoigne's distress:

Matthew Nicklin QC, representative for MGN, decided against cross-examining Gascoigne's evidence, per Halliday:

Gascoigne admitted apologising to his step daughter, Bianca, who he accused of leaking information to the press. He said the phone-hacking scandal had a "terrible effect" on his mind, leading him to wrongly suspect family and friends of giving information to the press, per Halliday.

The 47-year-old is regarded as one of England's best ever footballers and a treasure of the nation's game in the 1990s. His reputation has suffered since retirement, however, due to his very public battle with the problems outlined.

Other witnesses suing for damages include the ex-girlfriend of Queens Park Rangers footballer Rio Ferdinand, who had her phone hacked between 2003-05, when the centre-back resided at Manchester United, per BBC News.

Gascoigne is said to have exited court "hurriedly" by Halliday, after providing evidence which may shed light on his post-football struggles.