Olympics volunteer heckles David Cameron for 'crippling the poor'

David Cameron was told he should be "ashamed of himself" as he was heckled by an official London 2012 volunteer during a speech to mark the month-to-go countdown to the start of the Olympics.

The Prime Minister was making a speech to about 200 Games Maker volunteers at a specially arranged visit to the official uniform distribution centre in east London when the protester stepped forward.

Just 22 seconds into Mr Cameron's speech, the protester, dressed in the purple and orange official uniform, shouted: "Shame on you, David Cameron – you are crippling the poor in London. Shame on you."

The man tried to continue to speak but his words were drowned out by the other volunteers and he was hurriedly ushered out of the room.

Mr Cameron, who was standing on a podium, responded by saying: "This is not about politics. This is about Britain. It is about volunteering. It is about our country. It is about a successful Olympics." A London 2012 spokesman said: "People are allowed their political views. It was just a rather inappropriate place and time to air them."

No further information was given on the volunteer, but London 2012 said he would continue in his role.

The embarrassing episode happened after the London 2012 chairman, Lord Coe, was greeted with a standing ovation and a warm round of applause when he stepped into the room. He thanked the volunteers for their hard work. About 70,000 Games Makers have been signed up to work at the Olympics to be the "welcoming face" of the Games. They will do anything from greeting visitors to transporting athletes, helping out behind the scenes and working with the technology team to ensure competition results are displayed quickly and accurately.

Lord Coe told the volunteers: "It is you who will be in the memories of people that leave our country. You turn the lights on and you turn the lights off."