Tory minister Johnny Mercer told to stop spending taxpayer cash on vanity snaps

11 November 2023 , 16:30

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Mr Mercer has been told to stop until IPSA can issue new guidance to MPs (Image: PA)

Tory minister Johnny Mercer has been told to stop spending taxpayers’ money on vanity photos of himself.

The Veterans minister has claimed hundreds of pounds on expenses for 20 snaps of himself taken by photo agencies, which he’s used on his website and on campaign leaflets.

They include pictures of him striding out of Number 10, shaking hands with poppy sellers and walking up and down Whitehall and Downing Street carrying his red ministerial folder.

But IPSA, the MPs’ expenses watchdog, has stepped in - saying Mr Mercer’s use of the images in campaign materials is “at odds with the fundamental principles” of the expenses rules.

Last month the Mirror revealed Mr Mercer had received £13,500 in severance payments after being sacked by successive Prime Ministers.

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A Labour source said: “Perhaps he should use that to stump up for his vanity snaps.

"It’s another Tory slap in the face for families that are struggling to make ends meet.”

MPs are allowed to claim for photography costs, but only for parliamentary purposes - and aren’t allowed to use the pictures for party political leaflets.

But Mr Mercer says he buys the photo licences to use on non-political social media posts - only using them in campaign material afterward.

In response to a complaint from a member of the public, IPSA said the rules weren’t clear on whether this is allowed.

One of the leaflets on which Mr Mercer used one of the photos (bottom right)

But it’s understood Mr Mercer has been told to “cease this practice” until new guidance is issued.

Mr Mercer submitted 20 receipts from picture agency Alamy for licence fees relating to images of himself, ranging from £9.99-11.99 personal licences to marketing packages costing £149.99 between August 2021 and April 2023. The total value came to £371.75.

However it’s unclear if his use of the “personal use” licence is in keeping with Alamy’s rules, which state images should only be used for “personal prints, cards and gifts, or reference for artists.”

At least one image Mr Mercer licensed for a £11.99 fee, of him leaving 10 Downing Street, was used in a campaign leaflet showing Mr Mercer “out and about”.

Mikey Smith