A row has erupted over a photograph of Conservative leader David Cameron amid claims it was published in today?s Mirror newspaper without permission.

The picture, splashed across the paper?s front page, shows Cameron with drinking friends when he was a member of the Bullingdon Club while studying at Oxford University in 1987.

Under the photo a headline screams ?Our Prime Minister? Really??.

The picture also appears inside the paper.

Oxfordshire-based photography firm Gillman and Soame, who took the picture, has told journalism publication Press Gazette that they did not give permission to use it.

A Mirror spokesman told us: ‘The picture was, and is, in the public domain and its publication is absolutely in the public interest and will help inform voters’ decisions before they cast their vote.’

Gillman and Soame had yet to respond to our request for comment at the time of writing.