The Home Office has distanced itself from photography guidance that was published by the Metropolitan Police earlier today.
The advice, which appeared on the Met’s website, is intended as a guide for photographers and police officers in relation to photography in public and current anti-terrorism legislation.
However, it was unclear whether the advice had been government approved.
And it drew criticism in an article published today by The Guardian.
Asked whether it had been endorsed by the Home Office, a spokesman told Amateur Photographer (AP): ‘The Home Office has got nothing to do with it.’
The spokesman confirmed that newly appointed Home Office Minister David Hanson still plans to issue a separate circular to police regarding the controversial law that makes it a potential offence to photograph a police officer.
He said the police circular will be issued in ‘the near future’ and that there are ‘still ongoing discussions with police’ about it.
In March the Home Office told AP that a draft copy of the circular will be sent to the magazine prior to its distribution to police forces nationwide.
The Met had yet to respond to our request for comment at the time of writing.
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