A photographer at the centre of a row over a picture of the murdered soldier Lee Rigby has accused the Ministry of Defence of “panicking” by removing the image from its commemorative website.

Sam Syzmanski, from Gravesend, denied asking the ministry to take the photo down amid a copyright dispute.

He took the picture seen across the world after Fusilier Rigby was killed by homegrown Islamic extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, outside Woolwich Barracks in 2013.

Mr Syzmanski’s picture of the 25-year-old was taken while he was staying at Wellington Barracks in London in 2010 and it was later displayed by the MoD on its commemorative website.

The photographer, who served in the Coldstream Guards, has filed a complaint against the government after he claimed the picture was distributed by the MoD without his permission.

“The reason why I’m taking them to court is not because I’m bothered about the money, it is to make a point. They do this all the time” - Sam Syzmanski

He said his picture had featured in newspapers and magazines.

The image has since been removed from the website, which has reportedly upset Mr Rigby’s family.

Mr Syzmanski’s photos of eight British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were also taken down.

He said: “The pictures were allowed to go on the website, the reason why they were taken off was because the MoD panicked.

“I had no problem with any of them going up. I actually gave permission for the Rigby image to go up on the site but not for its commercial use. I did not ask them to take the photo down.”

The dispute has upset Mr Rigby’s widow, Rebecca, according to MailOnline, feeling that Mr Syzmanski was using her family for financial gain.

However, Mr Syzmanski said: “The reason why I’m taking them to court is not because I’m bothered about the money, it is to make a point. They do this all the time.”

Mr Syzmanski said some of the money earned from his photo had been donated to charity.

He said: “Some of it I gave to charity and some of it I gave to the Stacey Mowle Appeal. The money is of no importance.”

A MoD spokesman said: “The MoD has been approached by solicitors acting on behalf of an independent photographer regarding the use of a portrait of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

“The MoD has removed this photo from official websites, pending resolution of the issues.”

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