Male model appears in DUP poster

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It has emerged the DUP is using another stock picture of a model to promote its election campaign.

The male model's picture has appeared on a billboard claiming he is voting DUP.

The party has already used a stock picture of a female model which may have breached the terms and conditions for its use.

On Thursday, the company which licenses the pictures, istockphoto, said it was investigating the matter.

The billboard with the slogan "Unionism can't afford to be split" has appeared in east Belfast. It features a model called Dan.

The list of terms and conditions on the istockphoto website states these pictures cannot be used in a way that "depicts personal endorsement by model".

It specifies that it is prohibited to use models in such a way that it would lead "a reasonable person" to think the model personally endorses any cause.

The only exception is where the picture is accompanied by a statement that explains the content is being used for illustrative purposes only and that the person depicted is a model.

A spokeswoman for istockphoto said: "We care deeply about the correct usage of the images licensed on our site and our compliance team will be investigating this matter, as it does others such as this."

She suggested the party may not have been aware they could have been breaching the terms saying "we caution against a blanket assumption of malicious intent".

The DUP used the model for a poster attacking the Tories

However, she said anyone using the company's service should be aware of the rules.

"People really should read carefully the terms of service on any contract they sign, or checkbox they tick off."

The DUP first used a picture of a female model "Kristen" next to a slogan reading "I'm voting DUP".

In a retaliatory move UCU licensed another picture of the same model with text saying she had changed her mind and would vote for them instead.

On Friday, a spokesperson for the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists (UCU) said: "The DUP made an embarrassing mistake which they now seem determined to repeat.

"It makes a complete mockery of their 'made in Northern Ireland' boasts."

On Wednesday, speaking about the poster featuring the female model, the DUP's Simon Hamilton said the UCU re-hashed poster had generated extra publicity for his party.

"UCUNF campaign team can change a poster but they can't change the reality that the UUP has sold itself to the Tories. As one former UUP Westminster candidate said of the Tories "they pay the bills and call the shots." That's the reality Photoshop can't change.

"This poster is the clearest demonstration that our campaign is working."