UK Business Secretary Grant Schapps has denied involvement in the erasure of former prime minister Boris Johnson from a photo posted to his Twitter account.

Mr Schapps posted an image of his June 2022 visit to the Cornwall space centre to his official account on the eve of the first attempt to launch a satellite from the UK.

“The UK government is delighted to be backing the FIRST ever satellite launch from European soil. Lift-off scheduled Monday at Spaceport Cornwall, Newquay,” Mr Schapps wrote.

The accompanying image showed Mr Schapps speaking to representatives from Virgin Orbit and the UK Space Agency in front of a rocket, though separated by an awkward empty space.

The empty space and strange, blurred flooring under the rocket quickly aroused suspicion in social media users, who found the original to feature then-prime minister Boris Johnson.

Not removed is the text on Mr Schapps’s jacket, which reads ‘transport secretary’, his role at the time under the Johnson government.

Mr Schapps deleted the tweet after social media users pointed out the image had been doctored.

The BBC quoted a source close to Mr Schapps as saying, “Grant wasn’t aware anyone had edited the picture. He removed it as soon as it was pointed out.”

Mr Johnson left Downing Street after losing the support of his cabinet following months of scandal over his government’s conduct and a damning report into parties held at his Downing Street office and residence that broke strict COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Mr Schapps at the time voiced his regret for the ousting of Mr Johnson from the prime ministership.

“The party made a mistake forcing Boris out”, Mr Schapps said as the government prepared to vote on a new leader.

Mr Schapps was among members of the Conservative party who shifted their support to Rishi Sunak in the leadership contest eventually won by Liz Truss, who then lost the support of the party over her failed economic plan, paving the way for Mr Sunak to lead the country.