A Southampton man who featured in a documentary opposite Tommy Robinson has said this week's anti-racist protest showed 'unity' in the city.

Mo Ansar spent 18 months with the former EDL leader and was on 'When Tommy met Mo,' which covers Robinson as he left the far-right group more than a decade ago.

Mo, a Muslim, had met Robinson on the BBC programme The Big Question back in April 2012 when the pair debated their views.

Speaking to the Echo ahead of a second anti-racism protest in Southampton due to take place on Saturday, Mo said: "I think it is interesting that Tommy is now in Cyprus – I believe that is certainly a strategic decision.

READ MORE: Second anti-racism protest to be held in Southampton

“I pressed the government to ban the English Defence League over a decade ago.

"Sadly, that was denied by the government and now we are seeing civil unrest across the country.

“Robinson and political figures such as Nigel Fararge are only attempting to sow division across this country.

“I want to save my city from this division and stop the marginalisation of immigrants. The demonstration this week at Grovesnor Square in Southampton has showed we are a city of unity, love, hope and respect.

“I think that Tommy Robinson probably feels he can’t live in the UK anymore.”

Mo has previously been under scrutiny for claims he made in the past but said that he was focused on making the Southampton a diverse and unified city.

On Wednesday, a group of around 50 England flag wearing demonstrators met with hundreds of anti-racism protesters in Grosvenor Square, separated only by two lines of police officers.

As reported, a 40-year-old grandfather from Eastleigh has admitted assaulting a police sergeant during the protest in Southampton.