Why does Shrien Dewani have Max Clifford as his publicist?

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

Just been on the BBC website, and was wondering why Max Clifford was involved? Was he involved before his wife was murdered, or just since?

[Hassledge]

I was having the same thought this morning (R4 bit) - it beats the hell out of me. If DH was killed in slightly dodgy circumstances which didn't paint me in the best of lights, my first action wouldn't be to phone Max Clifford.

[belgo]

Sounds like a good lawyer would be more useful to him at the moment.

[LIZS]

Since I think, to deflect the inevitable finger of suspicion and filter what has appeared in the press.

[YourCallIsImportant]

I know what you both mean but if any of us wanted to defend ourselves against the type of media insinuations he's facing, we probably wouldn't know where to start. However I understand that Shrien Dewani's family are quite wealthy, so perhaps by throwing some money Mr Clifford's way, he can get onto a level playing field?

[wannaBe]

was talking to dh about this last night, and he said he'd recently heard an interview with Max Clifford, and he'd said that about half his work isn't so much about seeking publicity for people but more about keeping them out of the public eye, iyswim? Sort of along the lines of "stay away from y and I'll get you an interview/quotes from x".

Having said that, if I was Max Clifford I'd be wanting to distance myself from this one.

[LadyBiscuit]

Why would he have had Max C involved before his wife was murdered OP? :o

Yes, most of what MC does is keeping the media away from someone who has been suddenly thrust into the public eye through no fault of their own (although that last bit might not be relevant in this particular case)

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

LB - I just wondered if he was linked to MC for professional reasons prior to the murder of his wife, and since the murder MC has taken over any publicity for him.

[LadyBiscuit]

Oh I see :) I don't know, guess he might have been but I doubt it. I think MC has a team that scours the papers, seeing if anyone might need his services

[huddspur]

Because he wants someone who is an expert in manipulating the media to keep them off his back and Clifford is probably the best at this.

[EldritchCleavage]

Don't underestimate how overwhelmed people feel when caught in the middle of a media storm like this. The family will be beseiged and might have felt unable to cope. Doesn't mean hiring Max Clifford is necessarily a good idea but it might have seemed like it to them.

[twoteenagers2]

Looks to have been a very bad decision! This article is SIX YEARS OLD

www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/jul/23/pressandpublishing.observermagazine