Filton & Bradley Stoke MP doesn't apologise for "clearly embarrassing" photoshopped picture
Conservative MP Jack Lopresti has labelled an edited picture he shared in support of Boris Johnson "embarrassing", but neither offered an explanation nor apologised
Last updated 19th Jan 2022
A Conservative MP has called it "clearly rather embarrassing" after people spotted a photo he had shared online in support of Boris Johnson, had been photoshopped.
The image, which you can see here, was shared by Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti on Saturday, January 15.
It shows the MP out canvassing with several others, including Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford.
Many of the people in the photo are holding Conservative Party placards, but it was quickly noted that one placard appears to be floating in mid air, as if edited into the picture.
In streams of comments on the post some suggest it may have been held legitimately by a person, who was then edited out of the photo, while others suggest it is simply an extra placard edited in.
In a statement sent to us, the MP provides no explanation for what happened or why the photo was manipulated.
He also does not apologise and suggests he is not to blame for the error.
"Clearly rather embarrassing for me, so I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight," it reads.
"On Saturday afternoon, I glanced briefly, as I was very busy, at a Tweet posted by my friend and Regional Party Chair; Julian Ellacott.
"At first glance, the photo looked fine, so I used it in my own tweet which reflected the mood and campaigning activity of the day.
"Yesterday, I was having my normal family Sunday and was called around 11pm by my Federation Chairman; Simon Davies, who brought the matter of the alteration of the photo to my attention.
"Given that the photo and tweet had been up for over 24hrs and people had had the opportunity to comment, I thought I would leave it in place.
"Rest assured the individual who made this unfortunate mistake has been spoken to by a senior member of the Party."
When asked by us to clarify how the photo came to be edited and if he would like to apologise, Mr Lopresti's office told us he had nothing further to add.