Max Clifford's PR firm expected to close following sexual assault conviction

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/apr/30/max-clifford-pr-company-close

Version 0 of 1.

Max Clifford's PR business, Max Clifford Associates, is expected to be wound up by the end of the week.

A statement is due to made by lawyers about the company on Friday – the same day the PR adviser is due to be sentenced following his conviction for sexual assault.

When asked if the firm is to close, a member of Clifford's staff did not deny the allegation and said: "We have been advised by our lawyers not to make any comment. A statement will be read out on Friday."

The company's website has already been shut down.

The future of the company has looked uncertain after a number of clients sought to distance themselves from Clifford, including Simon Cowell and Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis.

A spokesman for Paphitis' lingerie brand Boux Avenue said the company "gave notice of termination of their celebrity contract to MCA in late 2013."

Channel 4 star Dave Fishwick has also cut ties with MCA, with a spokesman saying: "Fishwick Vehicle Sales is no longer a client of MCA associates and will not be seeking their services in the future."

Clifford is facing the prospect of jail when he is sentenced on Friday over eight counts of indecent assault concerning four victims, including a girl of 15. A jury found Clifford guilty of the assaults at Southwark crown court on Monday. He was cleared of two further counts and jurors failed to reach a verdict on one additional count.

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.