Boris Johnson has been interrupted during a high-profile speech by a heckler protesting at his decision to suspend parliament in the run-up to the Brexit deadline.

The prime minister’s speech in Rotherham ground briefly to a halt as the man shouted “get back to parliament”.

The incident came shortly after Mr Johnson was accosted in the street by a woman who told him he had “a cheek” to come to Yorkshire after the suffering which Conservative austerity policies had caused in the area.

Charity worker Ben Gilchrist said he had not gone to the event with the intention of confronting the PM but "boiled over in frustration" when Mr Johnson began talking about the value of democracy just days after closing the doors of parliament.

In a speech setting out plans to give more powers to local authorities in the North of England, Mr Johnson said that as a former city mayor he knew very well “the transformative potential of local accountable leadership, someone with the power to sort out what matters most to local people”.

At this point Mr Gilchrist, from Manchester, intervened with a loudly shouted question: “Like our MPs, Boris? Maybe get back to parliament?”

Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Show all 29 1 /29 Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament An anti-Brexit supporter raises a sign during a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament to Downing Street TOPSHOT - Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a protest march from Britain's Houses of Parliament to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday that the suspension of parliament would be extended until October 14 -- just two weeks before the UK is set to leave the EU -- enraging anti-Brexit MPs. MPs will return to London later than in recent years, giving pro-EU lawmakers less time than expected to thwart Johnson's Brexit plans before Britain is due to leave the European Union on October 31. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament epa07799808 A protestor outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit.. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Whitehall TOPSHOT - Demonstrators hold placards as they protest on Whitehall, near the entrance to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Protestors from the European Movement in Scotland hold a walking vigil on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Jane Barlow PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters shout slogans as they gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament, London, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire Kirsty O'Connor PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament epa07799846 Protesters gather outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters carry a flare near the Cenotaph in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters continue to participate in a late evening protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament London metropolitan police talk with anti-Brexit supporters in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: A Pro-EU supporter raises her fist during a protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images

The visit to Yorkshire was Mr Johnson’s first appearance in public since the controversial “prorogation” of parliament on Monday.

Stumbling slightly over his words, the PM replied: “I’m all in favour of our MPs…”

But he was interrupted again with a shouted: “Why are you not with them in parliament, sorting out the mess that you have created?”

Mr Johnson - who has shut the doors of Westminster to MPs until the Queen’s Speech on 14 October - said: “I”m very happy to get back to parliament very soon..”

But Mr Gilchrist continued, to a few claps: “Why don’t you sort it out Boris?”

As the charity worker was removed by security guards, Mr Johnson won some laughter by saying: “We want to see towns and communities able to represent that guy and sort out his needs.”

And he joked that he had “left prematurely, not necessarily under his own steam”.

Mr Gilchrist later said he had gone to the Convention of the North at the Magna Science Adventure Centre to discuss initiatives to promote the potential of the region.

"I wasn't sure whether I was going to stand up and say something, although I prepared myself to do so," he said. "He was talking about how much he thinks it is important for there to be local representation.

"That was the point at which I just boiled over with frustration and I stood up and said 'What about the MPs, Boris? What about parliament?'

"I am so concerned about the proroguing of parliament and that real attack on democracy and the hypocrisy, the contrast between what he was saying and his actions and the fact that he must think we are stupid."

Boris Johnson heckler says he was outraged at PM's prorogation

Mr Gilchrist insisted his intervention was not driven by party politics or his belief in EU membership.

"I have got an opinion on Brexit, but actually the proroguing has made me more passionate, because I see it as a flagrant attack on democracy and on those fundamental values of our country," he said.

"It is not about being party political or about Brexit per se. The whole point of Brexit was supposed to be about repatriating powers and allowing parliament to do its job. For me, it's the attack on democracy that's the real issue."

During a visit to Doncaster earlier in the day, Mr Johnson was confronted by an angry woman who told him: “People have died because of austerity.

"And you’ve got the cheek to come here and tell us austerity is over and it’s all good now and we’re going to leave the EU and everything’s going to be great – it’s just a fairy tale.”