Clifford told lies for hire. He boosted careers, he also put the boot in. He was a very powerful man in his sphere and because of this he got away with things. He liked to have us believe his filing cabinets were stuffed with material on everyone who was anybody.. He was apparently without a moral compass- and the media- which feared and used him- portrayed him as a kind of genial Jack the Lad.
He died in prison. Not because of any of the above- telling lies for a living isn't a criminal offence- but because he was also a sex abuser.