Clifford had power to ‘make or break stars’

Max Clifford, 69, who was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, is one of the most influential publicity agents in Britain who has represented everyone from OJ Simpson to Mohamed Al Fayed, working closely with the press to manage, break, and stop stories about his clients.

He left school with no qualifications but after a brief stint as a press officer for EMI records in the 1960s, built up his company, Max Clifford Associates at the age of 27, to become one of the most powerful forces in British media.

Clifford has a client list that is the envy of publicists around the world and has the power to make or break stars — and the journalists who cover them.