Facebook hires Nick Clegg as head of global affairs, says report

Facebook has hired the former United Kingdom deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, as its head of global affairs and communications, as the company faces increased pressure over the handling of data and fake news on its platform.

It is thought that the 51-year-old - who lost his Sheffield Hallam seat in 2017 - was wooed by assurances from Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg that he would have a "leading role" shaping the social networking giant's structure.

Cambridge university grad Clegg will join Facebook at a time when it is under increasing pressure from regulators and governments around the world over everything from taxes to data protection.

It comes as Mark Zuckerberg seeks to fix the company's reputation amid rows over transparency and the role of "fake news" on the platform following the 2016 Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump to US President in 2017.

Clegg was a divisive figure while in coalition government with David Cameron's Tories, reneging on a host of Liberal Democrat manifesto pledges while in office.

Sir Nick said that he was delighted to be making the move to California in January, when he will take over from Elliot Schrage, who is leaving the company after ten years.

Mr Schrage, who as head of communications and public policy has led the social network's response to its several scandals, stepped down from the role in June after a decade with the company.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Mr Clegg said: 'Throughout my public life I have relished grappling with hard and controversial issues and seeking to communicate them to others.