Ex-Johnson aide behind banned Facebook ad worked on fake grassroots campaign

Alex Crowley worked on 'Mainstream Network' campaign pushing for no-deal Brexit

The former Boris Johnson aide who was behind a Facebook ad that broke the social network's funding disclosure rules previously worked on a fake grassroots campaign pushing for a no-deal Brexit, the Guardian can reveal.

Alex Crowley, who left No 10 in September, oversaw the previous "Mainstream Network" Facebook campaign alongside employees of the lobbying firm run by Sir Lynton Crosby, the Australian political strategist who helped run three Conservative general election campaigns.