The "Lion of London Bridge" was caught on camera appearing to spit on a black photographer and ranting about foreigners just weeks before the terror attack, it emerged on Thursday.

Roy Larner, 47, was filmed hurling racist abuse at a group of protesters before claiming he is a member of far-right group National Front, it is alleged.

His mother has since called him "quite a character", but did not seem surprised about his allegedly racist outburst, outside the Arts College in Elephant and Castle, south London.