This was the first time I have reported from a protest organised by Robinson, the far-right activist who founded the English Defence League (EDL) back in 2009. There are many stereotypes around his supporters, but, as I stood on Kingsway looking to speak to those taking part, I was surprised by the number of people who did not fit into those perceptions. This included a 43-year-old Polish man, who has been living in the UK for more than 20 years, and his 36-year-old partner from Ghana.

Robinson said the demonstration was about "national unity, free speech and Christian values".

Many protesters who spoke to me mentioned free speech as a particularly big issue, as well as illegal immigration and grooming gangs.

Throughout the protest there was an almost constant hum of “Keir Starmer is a w*****” chants — a sentiment also replicated on some t-shirts, placards and flags.

Shouts of “we want Starmer out” could also be heard.

In many ways, it felt as if more protesters were actually there to take a stand against Sir Keir and his current government, rather than the message being sent by Robinson and the speakers who addressed the crowds in Parliament Square.

Ahead of the march, Sir Keir said organisers were “peddling hatred and division”.

All of those I spoke to at the march disagreed, but there will likely be many across the country who agree with the PM’s remarks.

The fact some 4,000 police officers were on the streets of the capital as part of efforts to prevent clashes between the Unite the Kingdom protest and a nearby pro-Palestinian demonstration underscore how simmering tensions are approaching a boil, and how this country has never been so polarised.

A total of 31 arrests have been made at the Unite the Kingdom and Nakba Day protests in London as of about 4.30pm on Saturday, police said.