Heckler thrown out of Brown election campaign event

Julian Borthwick was thrown out of the Labour event for heckling

A 38-year-old man has been thrown out of a Labour Party event after heckling a speech to supporters by Gordon Brown.

Julian Borthwick said he had gone to the National Glass Centre in Sunderland for lunch but "felt animated" when he heard the prime minister was there.

His complaint was about availability of fast broadband in the North East.

He also said he was angry that the PM was not meeting any ordinary people and was instead appearing before "small hand-picked groups".

Mr Brown continued with his speech, only saying that there would be "plenty of time" to ask questions afterwards.

In his remarks, Mr Brown said every family in the country would be affected by budget cuts planned by the Conservatives.

Tory proposals would result in 14,000 fewer teachers, 2,400 fewer police jobs, and less support for the unemployed and school leavers, he said - adding that the Liberal Democrats would also put the economic recovery at risk.

The prime minister stressed it was not his "prospects" at stake at the election but the country's.

"And so my message is simple," he said. "It's your future. Vote for it."

The leaders of the three main parties at Westminster have all been touring the country as the campaign enters its final few days.