George Osborne booed by spectators at Paralympics - but Gordon Brown is cheered

 
4 September 2012
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Chancellor George Osborne was subjected to a barrage of boos by the sell-out crowd at the Paralympic Stadium last night as his waited to hand out medals.

Mr Osborne was jeered and booed as his name was announced to present the winners of the men's T38 400m race with their medals.

Mr Osborne initially laughed as the jeering at the 80,000 seater Olympic Stadium erupted but seemed to become embarrassed as it continued.

The Chancellor's embarrassment will be all the more acute after former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was cheered as he presented medals at the Aquatics Centre.

It appeared spectators at the London 2012 Games were determined to deliver their verdict on the Coalition government with Prime Minister David Cameron also meeting a less than enthusiastic reception.

While Mr Cameron presented Ellie Simmonds with her gold medal some members of the crowd booed the PM but they were drowned out by cheers for the Paralympic poster girl.

Mr Cameron shook the swimmer's hand and kissed her on both cheeks as he placed the medal around her neck.

Earlier he had sat with members of ParalympicsGB at the Aquatics Centre and punched the air in delight as Simmonds powered her way to her SM6 200 metres individual medley victory.

Simmonds said she was proud to welcome the Prime Minister to "her place".

She said: "I've met him at his house, in number 10. It's great to meet him in my place, really, at the pool."

Asked what he said to her on the podium, she added: "It was just congratulations. I don't really remember much, but being on the podium was just an amazing atmosphere and an amazing experience really, to be on it second time running. I'm just really pleased."

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also seen at the Aquatics Centre to see Simmonds's race.

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