Facebook employs ex-political aides to help campaigns target voters

Roles for former Conservative and Labour figures prompt fears firm 'whispering in ears' of parties to aid micro-targeting of users

Facebook has stepped up attempts to build its influence as a political tool by giving jobs to former senior Conservative and Labour campaign officials.

The Guardian has learned Facebook's recruits have inside knowledge of how the major parties' general election campaigns are likely to work. They include a former Downing Street adviser to David Cameron, a former aide to Ed Balls and a social media expert who worked with the Conservatives' election strategist Lynton Crosby.