A former political staffer is seeking compensation from The Daily Telegraph for the use of a selfie he took with the Deputy Prime Minister and Vikki Campion, which has been published by the masthead as part of its coverage of Mr Joyce's affair.

Brad Hunter, a former photographer for ex-prime minister Tony Abbott and News Limited, took the photo but was cropped out of it when it was published by The Daily Telegraph.

He said he did not supply the photo to the paper, and it was taken from his Facebook page without his consent.

The image was taken at an Armidale pub around the time of the 2016 federal election. Mr Hunter and Ms Campion had been former News Limited colleagues.

The ABC has confirmed with the office of Mr Abbott that he was unaware of the photo and that Mr Hunter — who was a personal photographer for him during his prime ministership — was no longer a staff member after the former PM was toppled by Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Hunter has told the ABC he did not provide the photo to News Limited for publication.

His lawyers are now seeking compensation from News Limited for use of a copyrighted image.

The ABC has requested comment from News Limited about the photo, and whether a third party was paid any money for its use.