Richardson is one of the most successful photographers in the world, having worked with high-profile figures from Barack Obama to Oprah Winfrey and Kate Moss.

He has also been dogged with rumours about his inappropriate sexual behaviour during photoshoots since 2001. It has been claimed that Richardson regularly forced young female models into compromising positions, sometimes pressuring them into performing sexual acts on him.

In a statement to The Telegraph, Richardson’s spokeswoman said: “He is an artist who has been known for his sexually explicit work so many of his professional interactions with subjects were sexual and explicit in nature but all of the subjects of his work participated consensually.

“Terry is disappointed to hear about this email especially because he has previously addressed these old stories.”

Allegations made against the photographer in 2014 led to a petition asking magazines to stop working with him.

In an exclusive letter written to Page Six at the time, Richardson responded to the claims that he sexually assaulted models on his shoots. He categorically denied the allegations, describing them as an “emotionally-charged witch hunt”.

Fashion brands continue to drop Terry Richardson amid abuse allegations