A journalist has been arrested after attempting to question Donald Trump’s health secretary over controversial healthcare reforms.

Dan Heyman said he was detained for “doing my job” as Tom Price and presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway visited the West Virginia State Capitol.

He had followed Mr Price as he entered the building, holding out his phone to record while repeatedly asking whether domestic violence would be considered a “pre-existing condition” barring affected women from receiving health insurance.

The US Secretary of Heath did not reply but minutes later, Mr Heyman was handcuffed by police and taken away.

“He didn’t say anything, so I persisted,” said the journalist, who is a health specialist at the non-profit Public News Service (PNS).

“At some point I think they decided I was just too persistent in asking this question and trying to do my job – so they arrested me.”

Mr Heyman said he was holding his phone out towards Mr Price to record audio and was not doing anything that could be considered violent.

He was detained on the charge of “wilful disruption of state government processes” and was released on a $5,000 bail (£3,900).

A criminal complaint seen by the Washington Post accused Mr Heyman of “aggressively breaching” an area protected by Secret Service agents and “causing a disturbance by yelling questions at Ms Conway and Secretary Price”.

“It’s first time I’ve ever seen anyone arrested for asking a question,” said Mr Heyman, who has been a reporter for 30 years.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, after the House pushed through a health care bill. (AP)

“I think it’s a terrible example, I think it’s dreadful.

“This is my job, this is what I’m supposed to do. I’m supposed to go and find out if somebody is going to be affected by this healthcare law.”

Early proposals for “Trumpcare” have hit hurdles in Congress amid controversy over the definition of some pre-existing conditions, although supporters have emphasised that states already have protections in place for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse.

Senate Democrats leader Chuck Schumer said the bill currently being considered by the House is “discriminatory against women” amid anger over an all-male working group on health policy.

Mr Price and Ms Conway had been visiting Charleston to discuss efforts to combat opioid addiction in West Virginia, meeting privately with local politicians and representatives from groups including an addition centre and helpline.

Mr Heyman had been interviewing protesters outside before their arrival and said he was not informed that he was in the wrong place, while wearing a Capitol press pass and shirt bearing his employer’s logo.

Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Show all 33 1 /33 Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first 100 days in office were marred by a string of scandals, many of which caught the eye of the Independent's cartoonists Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's first 100 days have seen him aggressively ramp up tensions with his nuclear rivals in North Korea Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has warned of a "major, major conflict" with the pariah nation lead by Kim Jong Un Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump dropped the "mother of all bombs" on alleged ISIS-linked militants in Afghanistan, amid an escalation of US military intervention around the globe Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been accused of falling short of the standards set by his predecessors in the Oval Office, including Franklin D Roosevelt Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The tycoon's ascension to the White House came at a time when the balance of power is shifting away from Western nations like those in the G7 group Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Western politicians, including the British Conservative party, have been accused of falling in line behind Mr Trump's proposals Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Brexit is seen to have weakened Britain, reducing still further any political will to resist American leadership Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump's leadership has been marked by sudden and unexpected shifts in global policy Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Trump's controversial missile strike on Syria, which killed several citizens, was seen by some analysts as an attempt to distract from his policy elsewhere Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The President has also spent a large majority of his weekends golfing, rather than attending to matters of state Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Though free of gaffes, a visit from Chinese president Xi Jinping spotlighted trade tensions between the two states Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One major and unexpected setback came when Mr Trump's Healthcare Bill was struck down by members of his own party Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Mr Trump has been a figure of fun in the media, with his approval at record lows Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A string of revelations about Mr Trump's financial indiscretions did not mar his surge to the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Outgoing President Barack Obama was accused of wiretapping Trump Tower by his successor in America's highest office Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The alleged involvement of Russian intelligence operatives in securing Mr Trump the presidency prompted harsh criticism Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons The explosive resignation of Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who lied about his links to the Russian ambassador, was just one scandal to hit the President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Many scandals, such as the accusation Barack Obama was implicated in phone-hacking, first broke on Mr Trump's Twitter feed Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's election provoked mass protests in the UK, with millions signing a petition to ban him from the country Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump cited a non-existent terror attack in Sweden during a campaign rally Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump stands accused of stoking regional tensions in Eastern Asia Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons North Korea has launched a number of failed nuclear tests since Mr Trump took power Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Theresa May formally rejected the petition calling for Mr Trump to be banned from the UK Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons When Mr Trump's initial so-called Muslim ban was struck down by a federal justice, the President mocked the 69-year-old as a "ridiculous", "so-called judge" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons A week after his inauguration, Theresa May met with Mr Trump at the White House Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's first days in office were marked by a hasty attempt to follow through on many of his campaign promises, including the so-called Muslim ban Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's decision to ban citizens of many majority-Muslim countries from the US sparked mass protests Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Revelations about Donald Trump's sexual improprieties were not enough to keep him from being elected President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was criticised by many in the press for cosying up to the new President Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons One of Mr Trump's top aides, Kelly Anne Conway, was mocked for describing mistruths as "alternative facts" Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons British PM Theresa May was quick to demonstrate that her political aims did not hugely differ from Mr Trump's Donald Trump's first 100 days: in cartoons Donald Trump's inauguration, on 20 January 2017, sparked protests both at home and abroad

His lawyer, Tim de Piero, described the complaint against his client as “really bizarre”.

“I’ve never had a client arrested for talking too loud or anything similar to that,” he told an informal press conference.

“He had no intention of doing anything but asking a tough question. He persisted in asking that question and we just don’t understand why he got arrested, it seems way over the top.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia said Mr Heyman’s arrest was part of a “dangerous time” for freedom of the press, citing the President’s attacks on “fake news”.

“Mr Heyman’s arrest is a blatant attempt to chill an independent, free press,” a spokesperson said.

“The charges against him are outrageous, and they must be dropped immediately.

“What President Trump’s administration is forgetting, and what the Capitol Police forgot today, is that the government works for us. Today was a dark day for democracy.”