In pictures: Thousands join Westminster protest against Donald Trump state visit

Westminster was flooded with thousands of activists bearing anti-Trump placards on Monday evening as MPs debated a petition against the US president’s state visit to the UK.

The rally, held by the Stop Trump Coalition and campaign group One Day Without Us, drew scores of supporters carrying signs that read, "No to racism; no to Trump", yards from the House of Commons where the debate was under way.

Protesters carrying colourful placards and banners gathered in the square shortly before 4pm, where separate groups led rallying cries, including "Hey hey, hey ho; Trump and Brexit's got to go," and "No Trump, no Brexit; no racist EU exit."

Inside the Commons, MPs considered a petition signed by 1.85 million people which called for a visit by the US President to be stripped of the trappings of a state occasion in order to avoid causing "embarrassment" to the Queen.

The Stop Trump coalition had called for a nationwide day of action in addition to dozens of protests coordinated by the One Day Without Us movement celebrating the contribution of immigrants to British society.

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott addressed the crowds to condemn the "dark shadow of racism and anti-immigrant sentiment" in the modern era.

She said: "We know the values that Trump represents. With Donald Trump, you don't have to look into a crystal ball, you can read the book.

"He was supported in his presidential campaign by white supremacists.

"And even in the first weeks of his presidency he has had a viscerally anti-immigrant line."

Ms Abbott said that a state visit was "an honour", with the opportunity to address Parliament reserved for anti-hate campaigners like Nelson Mandela and not the likes of Mr Trump, whose presidential campaign proved divisive across the world.

Caroline Lucas MP, who came out of the Commons debate to address the crowd said Donald Trump was a "bully and a bigot" whose first 100 days in power had made it clear "what kind of future he is building".

She said: "We are here to resist his lies and his hatred and we will re-double our efforts to build bridges, not walls.

"Donald Trump wants to put America first, Theresa May wants to put Britain first.

"Well we are proud citizens of the world and we want to put humanity first."

Goldsmiths student, Sara Sharp, 31, who carried a sign reading "Theresa the Appeaser", said she was protesting "everything" the occasion represented.

She said: "I'm here for everything.

"If (Donald Trump) has a state visit, I think it will make our country look bad. But then I feel that sometimes Theresa May is just as bad.

"I have seen I, Daniel Blake, and if they say that is not a true reflection I think something is wrong.

"I think something is wrong with our Government."

Labour MP Paul Flynn opened the debate by highlighting the fact that Mr Trump is only the third US president to be given the honour of a state visit and said he was invited too soon in his already highly controversial presidency.