Martin Amis: We lead the world in decline

Martin Amis has been speaking about the inspiration for his new novel Lionel Asbo, a book based around the life of a man living on the fictional London housing estate of Diston.

In an interview with Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman, the writer said the novel was "not a frowning examination of England" but a comedy based on a "fairytale world".

Amis added that his novel was not an attack on the country, insisting he was "proud of being English" and viewed the nation with affection.