In the context of what he's suffered in the past, the current brickbats hurled at Sir Nick Clegg are relatively minor. Still, Clegg, who celebrated his 58th birthday this week, is entitled to feel sore. No, he was not booted out of his job as president of global affairs at Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp owner Meta. No, he has not made as much money as has been reported in some quarters. That's what the former deputy prime minister is telling his friends, anyway.
He'd been looking to leave Meta for some time but his departure and more particularly his replacement had to be approved by the board and that took a while. The fact that his successor is Joel Kaplan, a Republican, has fuelled the belief that the ex-Liberal Democrat leader was ditched because Mark Zuckerberg's £1.3 trillion tech behemoth is attempting to curry favour with incoming president Donald Trump. Kaplan was Clegg's deputy, and while they might hold differing political views, they are said to have got along well - indeed, Kaplan was Clegg's choice to take over.
His leaving happens to coincide too with a change of direction by Zuckerberg. The boss is ending fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram, an aspect of the business that fell under Clegg's remit and was part of the corporate push to bring credibility to the platforms and pacify regulators and campaigners. It was an expensive operation, undoubtedly a drain on resources. Even so, the shift chimes with the ascendancy of Trump along with his "first buddy" and Zuckerberg's great tech rival, Elon Musk. Doing away with the fact monitors plays directly into their free speech agenda.
It's not as if Clegg is going straight away - he is remaining with Meta for a few months. He will fly back to California again from his London home this weekend.
A finger on the US pulse
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 09, 2025 من The London Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 09, 2025 من The London Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'She handed over her house key I couldn't believe her trust in me, a complete stranger
As our final appeal total hits £3.46million we talk to a beneficiary of Refugees at Home a charity we are funding thanks to your amazing support
Make new and lasting changes
The start of a new year often inspires positive changes, and for those seeking to reclaim their mental health and wellbeing, Ibiza Calm provides a haven of transformation and healing
Feeling run down? Follow your gut feelings
Have you ever wondered why you feel constantly tired, experience brain fog or struggle with health issues like skin problems, pain or mood swings?
The kitchen is on fire but service is a washout
Chefs: duller than you think. Sporting rumours of delinquency still propagate—’shrooms at award shows, clingfilm mischief — but the naughty boys and girls are largely a lost breed.
Make room for what matters
The new year is here, and it's the perfect time to reset and refocus.
She stars in a Netflix mega hit and now Luciane Buchanan is playing a queen
It has been two years since action thriller The Night Agent landed on Netflix, but Luciane Buchanan, the breakout star of this twisty hit, still gets messages about it — ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Will Levy pull the trigger on only answer to Spurs' woes?
Chairman would solve nothing by sacking Ange — he must spend
Why is the capital so full of charity muggers?
Pity the poor souls doing it but it's also a blight on our streets
A new year in the capital: start with healthy habits
Nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner Tracy Tredoux suggests ways to start the new year as you mean to go on
Ski's chicest, for before and après
This season's essential skiing guide for any budget
