IT is an extraordinary scene sure to have television viewers squirming in their seats with embarrassment.

A Hampshire MP lies face down on the ground, reduced to tears by the taunts of teenagers.

Millions will see Mark Oaten reach the depths of despair in a new reality TV show that challenges pampered parliamentarians to live on some of Britain’s toughest council estates for a week.

The shamed Liberal Democrat, who four years ago resigned from his party’s senior ranks after he was exposed for having a relationship with male prostitutes, threw his tearful tantrum after a youth abused him.

The youngster shouts: “Ain’t you the one that got done for rent boys?”

Mr Oaten tries to walk away but the youth yells: “You’ve got Aids.”

The Winchester MP, who will stand down at the General Election later this year, then lies face down in tears on the grass outside the tower block which is his temporary home.

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Remarkably it happened on his first day on the estate in east London.

The programme begins with Mr Oaten cleaning out the outdoor swimming pool in the garden of his home in Bramdean, near Alresford, but soon switches to Goresbrook Village in Dagenham.

He likens Dunmow House, where he is invited to sleep on the couch of 43-year-old single mum Cathy’s flat, to the outskirts of the Russian capital Moscow.

After the run-in that left him in tears and a disturbed night kept awake by the nearby A13, Mr Oaten admits he could not cope if he had to stay any longer.

Deprived of his wallet and mobile phone Mr Oaten had to survive on benefits, which amounts to around £35 a week.

He said life became such a struggle at one point he wondered whether he could afford the bus fare to the employment centre. He said he was advised to do what everyone else in the block would do – buy a lottery ticket. A £1 ticket netted him £85.

Mr Oaten last night denied the rent boy taunt had prompted him to lie face down on the ground, saying it was the general experience that had got to him. He claimed he was prompted to agree to the documentary for a challenge and to get outside his “comfort zone’’. It’s a real chance to do something in more depth,” said Mr Oaten.

“Housing conditions were particularly awful and much worse than Winchester. I also learned about racism and why people vote for the BNP.”

Cllr George Beckett, the Conservative leader of Winchester City Council, said: “I’m not sure that this will put Winchester in the best light.

“Mr Oaten is well known for his concern about the less privileged and I'm sure being involved in this programme was done with the right intention."