BJP has received confirmation that Eugene Richards has left Reportage by Getty Images.

The news comes hours after the photographer's name was removed from the Reportage website, as noted by Mikko Takkunen of Photojournalism Links.

In a statement, Aidan Sullivan, who heads Reportage by Getty Images, says: "All of us at Reportage have been both honoured and privileged to work with Gene these past three years but we have mutually agreed that Getty Images is no longer the right fit for Gene and as a result he will be moving on."

He adds: "We wish Gene and Janine [Richards' wife] every happiness and success for the future. On a personal note Gene and I will remain close friends and I look forward to meeting with him regularly to discuss the industry, projects and which wine to choose for dinner."

Richards was originally a member of the Magnum Photos agency, which he left twice in 1994 and 2006. That year, he joined VII Photo, but left in 2008. He finally joined Reportage in 2010.