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David Cameron criticised over 'vanity photographer' David Cameron criticised over 'vanity photographer'
(3 months later)
David Cameron has been accused by Labour of wasting money on a "vanity photographer" who is taking pictures of him at the taxpayers' expense.David Cameron has been accused by Labour of wasting money on a "vanity photographer" who is taking pictures of him at the taxpayers' expense.
Downing Street said no extra cost was involved because the official was on secondment from the Ministry of Defence. But Labour accused Cameron of reviving an idea that led to one of his earlier U-turns.Downing Street said no extra cost was involved because the official was on secondment from the Ministry of Defence. But Labour accused Cameron of reviving an idea that led to one of his earlier U-turns.
In 2010 a photographer and a filmmaker who had both worked for the Conservative party were hired by the Cabinet Office on one-year contracts to record the prime minister and other ministers.In 2010 a photographer and a filmmaker who had both worked for the Conservative party were hired by the Cabinet Office on one-year contracts to record the prime minister and other ministers.
No 10 argued that the appointments made sense because the government needed pictures for its websites and its publications and that it was cheaper to hire staff than to pay freelancers. But with thousands of jobs being lost in the public sector, the story was a PR disaster and Cameron quickly cancelled the appointments.No 10 argued that the appointments made sense because the government needed pictures for its websites and its publications and that it was cheaper to hire staff than to pay freelancers. But with thousands of jobs being lost in the public sector, the story was a PR disaster and Cameron quickly cancelled the appointments.
On Sunday it emerged that an MoD photographer had been working in the Cabinet Office for several months doing the job the original photographer was hired to do.On Sunday it emerged that an MoD photographer had been working in the Cabinet Office for several months doing the job the original photographer was hired to do.
The Labour MP Michael Dugher said: "At a time when soldiers are being sacked, it is scandalous that David Cameron thinks it is more important to have a vanity photographer. He should spend more time mending the economy and less on his ego."The Labour MP Michael Dugher said: "At a time when soldiers are being sacked, it is scandalous that David Cameron thinks it is more important to have a vanity photographer. He should spend more time mending the economy and less on his ego."
A No 10 spokesman said: "This rolling secondment is a part of the Cabinet Office skills development programme that sees digital communications specialists from other government departments working with the Cabinet Office team to further develop their skills, working in a busy, high-profile, government department.A No 10 spokesman said: "This rolling secondment is a part of the Cabinet Office skills development programme that sees digital communications specialists from other government departments working with the Cabinet Office team to further develop their skills, working in a busy, high-profile, government department.
"There is no extra salary cost to the taxpayer. The role covers a wide range of events right across the Cabinet Office portfolio, from ministerial visits to high-profile events involving the prime minister.""There is no extra salary cost to the taxpayer. The role covers a wide range of events right across the Cabinet Office portfolio, from ministerial visits to high-profile events involving the prime minister."
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