Boris Johnson politely told by man to 'please leave my town' in viral exchange during PM's Yorkshire visit

A man who politely told Boris Johnson to “please leave my town” has been hailed a hero online after the exchange went viral.

The Prime Minister was setting the scene for a “people versus Parliament” election strategy during a visit to Leeds, where he was confronted on Thursday.

In footage captured by the BBC, Mr Johnson was seen shaking hands with the member of the public before the PM was simply told: “please leave my town”.

Mr Johnson promptly replied: "I will very soon".

The clip has since been shared widely on social media, earning hundreds of thousands of views, and the hashtag #PleaseLeaveMyTown became a top Twitter trend in the UK

Several Labour MPs used the hashtag to share the video, with Labour MP and shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon tweeting: "When two worlds collide - straight talking Yorkshire meets Bullingdon bluster! #PleaseLeaveMyTown."

Labour MP for Liverpool Walton Dan Carden meanwhile tweeted: "This is what happens when Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson actually comes face to face with 'the people' he claims to speak for."

Members of the public who shared the footage on Twitter heaped praise on the Yorkshire resident, with one saying: “The gentleman who said #PleaseLeaveMyTown to Boris Johnson is the hero we all need right now. Someone buy him a beer.”

Another wrote: “Love the gentleman who politely said #PleaseLeaveMyTown - he spoke for many people in Morley & Outwood.”

The viral exchange rounded off another torrid day for Mr Johnson as his brother quit the Government, he was accused of using police officers in a "political stunt", and his Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg was criticised by England's chief medical officer.