What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Boris Johnson has employed a personal photographer at the taxpayer’s expense.

Andrew Parsons, who was paid to take the staged photograph of the PM when he resigned as foreign secretary over Brexit , will join the PM's official staff.

Although his salary has not yet been published, Special Advisors' start on £40,500 and can earn up to £145,000.

He was employed during by the Tory party during the election campaign getting special access to the PM but also sold on those snaps.

Parsons worked for David Cameron as leader of the opposition.

Cameron also tried to put him on the public payroll in 2010 when he entered Downing Street but quickly dropped the plan after an onslaught of criticism.

But he accepted it sent the "wrong signal" at a time when the Civil Service was facing swingeing cuts.

(Image: PA)

Government sources confirmed Parsons was being employed as a Special Advisor.

Asked about the picture of Johnson writing his resignation letter over Brexit, Parsons said at the time that it was not planned in advance.

“I was not called to take Boris’ photograph,” he told the Guardian.

“I was at Westminster at the time and rumours spread that he was resigning, so I put a message out, asking – do you want me to document it? He said, ‘Yes, that’s a good idea.’ That was it.”

He added: “I have photographed him for 12 years, so it was not unusual for me to photograph him yesterday. I photographed him when he quit the leadership race ... I saw all that behind-the-scenes. It’s not unusual."

The photographer is used to getting specialist access as part of his role.

Mr Parsons is a co-founder of the i-images picture agency and a former photographer with the PA news agency.

Number 10 refused to comment on the appointment.