Guardian contract ‘optional’

THE GUARDIAN sent photographers contracts over the summer claiming exclusive newspaper rights in pictures. Freelance Organiser John Toner asked the Guardian's Chris Elliot about them in a recent meeting. His reply: "I am the Managing Editor and I am telling you that working for the Guardian is not dependent on signing one of these contracts."

So if you get one, return it politely explaining this rather important fact. And let us know how you get on after that.