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Published: 6:22 AM June 25, 2019 Updated: 6:16 PM September 17, 2020

Steve Bray enters the frame as Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds pose for a 'staged' photograph. (Louis Henwood/Twitter) - Credit: Archant

Potential prime minister Boris Johnson was accused of staging shots of him and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds in a cynical attempt to quash rumours that their relationship is struggling.

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But the photograph of the two gazing longingly into each other's eyes has failed to win over social media audiences.

Instead they turned the image into memes which ciruclated on the internet.

Users who got involved with the action included the infamous Cold War Steve, known for his photoshop efforts.

Others mocked up Steve Bray, the 'stop Brexit' campaigner, turning up with his signs, while there were those that imagined what might have happened after the cameras were turned off.

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But while the Evening Standard published the photographs claiming they were taken after the row, Johnson dodged questions about when it was taken.

MORE: Who is Carrie Symonds? The former spin doctor making headlines as Boris Johnson's partner

LBC's Nick Ferrari said "this is an old picture, isn't it?", as he pointed out he had since had a haircut.

Johnson simply pointed out that his hair was no longer cut by "the Turkish chap".

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