First George Osborne, then Theresa May. As the home secretary stepped forward to present the medals for the men's 1500m T20 event on Tuesday night, she was treated to the latest Paralympic sport to entertain the 80,000 spectators in the Stratford stadium – booing members of the government.

Just as Osborne had done the night before, when he received his own swelling chorus of derision at the men's 400m T38 medal ceremony, May made a stab at a sporting smile before presenting gold to Payman Bazanjan of Iran. An echoing catcall from tens of thousands of people may not be exactly pleasant, but at least May is used to it – her job involves addressing the police federation annual conference.

Inevitably, perhaps, Ed Miliband sought to draw political meaning from the chancellor's reception, telling prime minister's questions on Wednesday that the Paralympic crowd had "spoken for Britain". But however jarring the sound of booing in a stadium which has reverberated almost exclusively with rapturous cheers since the Olympics opening ceremony on 27 July, Sebastian Coe defended the policy of inviting politicians to present medals, saying: "I think it is right that the political leadership of the UK should be seen supporting something they have backed from the moment we threw our hat in the ring."

He knew from his own experience, he said, that "you do become the pantomime villain in politics", but added: "I'm not making judgments here. All I'm saying is that it comes with the landscape. Most politicians are big enough and brave enough to know that's the landscape they're in. There are always pantomime villains."

But is it really appropriate, as some in the crowd queried after Osborne's appearance, that politicians who have previously had little association with the Games turn up to share in the cheers for the athletes?

In part it's a question of demand, according to Games organisers Locog. Thanks to its different disability categories, there are more than 500 golds, silvers and bronzes up for grabs at the Paralympics, many more than at the Olympics, which hosted just over 300 medal ceremonies. With each event requiring two officials – one to present medals and another the flowers – that's 1,000-plus great and good, a very large spreadsheet into which to slot dignitaries, sportspeople, royals and others.

The International Olympic Committee has a policy of drawing its medal officials from former Olympians and others with an association with international sporting federations, but its Paralympic equivalent has no such policy. A Locog spokesman said some of those selected had been chosen by the IPC, while others – including the government members – were recommended by Locog.

And in the view of the Paralympic crowd, all politicians are not the same. It is striking, for instance, that while David Cameron has had a mixed reception at the Games – receiving as many cheers as boos on Monday when presenting Ellie Simmonds with her second swimming gold – the sports minister Hugh Robertson, also a member of the government, has generally been greeted warmly.

Former Labour Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and sports minister Kate Hoey have also been cheered, and even Gordon Brown, making a rare public appearance to present medals at the Aquatics centre, received a generous welcome. Boris Johnson is cheered roundly whenever he appears.

It may be of small comfort to Osborne, who looked particularly uncomfortable at his reception, that the booing of those handing out medals is not restricted to politicians. Presenting gold at Wembley to the US women's football team during the Olympics, the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, was jeered so loudly it drowned out the commentary for many in the stands. Asked his view on Blatter's reception, an IOC spokesman said: "Crowds will do what crowds do."