MP in fake picture ... after he slated fake pictures

An image of Westminster Culture Secretary James Purnell - who has lectured the media on misleading the public - was inserted into a "faked" photo.

A hospital in Manchester arranged a celebratory photocall after being given the go-ahead for a redevelopment project earlier this month.



However, the minister arrived late and his photograph was "merged" into a picture that had been taken earlier, before being placed on the NHS trust's website.

A spokeswoman for Mr Purnell - who has warned the media about "forfeiting public trust" after scandals over faked footage and competitions - insisted the incident was a "mix-up".



She said Mr Purnell had arrived at Tameside General Hospital around ten minutes after the other MPs who had been invited had left.

"He had his photo taken by himself. He thought they would use the photo alongside the other one. In no way did James say, 'Just add me in so it looks like I was there'."

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