UPDATE 1-Facebook hires Nick Clegg as head of global affairs

Facebook Inc has hired former U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to lead its global affairs and communications team, making him the most senior European politician ever in a leadership role in Silicon Valley.

The appointment comes at a time when the world's largest social network is facing criticism from users and lawmakers following scandals about privacy and election meddling.

Clegg was the leader of Britain's Liberal Democrats, the minority partner in the Conservative-led coalition that ruled Britain between 2010 and 2015.

He served as deputy prime minister to David Cameron but was ousted after the Conservatives won a majority in 2015 in an election that saw Clegg's party suffer a significant loss of support. Clegg lost his own seat in Britain's parliament in a general election last year.

Clegg, 51, succeeds Elliot Schrage and will report to Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer.

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.

Schrage will stay as an adviser, Facebook said.

(With inputs from agencies.)