Broadcaster and far right provocateur Andy Ngô, facing calls to explain his presence at the inaugural conference of the London branch of the anti-trans group LGB Alliance, was quick to distance himself from the UK’s gender critical feminist movement, claiming his attendance was in a purely journalistic capacity.

“I’m a reporter, so that’s what I do,” said Andy. “I go where the story is, and I report. This is not the same as an endorsement.”

Many of Andy’s social media followers were unconvinced, however, and vocal in their disillusionment about Mr Ngô having crossed a moral line they felt could undermine his work fighting the American anti-fascist movement. Andy, however, was unrepentant.

“Look, I get it,” continued Andy. “My fans see me rubbing shoulders with people like Rob Jessel, Joanna Cherry, Graham Linehan or whoever, and they think, ‘Andy’s gone full nazi’ and that it’s going to be the end of my career. I get that they’re looking out for me.

But, come on. God knows I’ve covered enough Antifa rallies, and I don’t think anyone would accuse me of being on their side. I get that the optics are a bit different when it’s an indoor venue with a bunch of drunk British housewives in lanyards. But again, attendance is not endorsement.”

Asked whether giving alleged “full nazi” groups like LGB Alliance the oxygen of publicity was itself counter-productive, Andy remained adamant.

“Again, I get it, but I wanted to see things for myself. And to be honest, I’m not completely convinced by their credentials as a hate group. The hate is there, sure, but mostly they just seem scared and confused. And their references are always so hack.

Like, Jennifer Bilek, really? No serious fascist takes her seriously. It’s the kind of thing undercover cops like to quote when they’re trying to infiltrate the Proud Boys. It always reminds me of that Steve Buscemi meme, you know, like ‘Hello fellow nazis’.”

With just under a week remaining before Andy’s flight back to the US, we took the opportunity to ask how he planned to spend his remaining time on British shores.

“To be honest, this whole trip has been kind of humbling,” Mr Ngô concluded. “Maybe I let some of my online notoriety go to my head, but I guess I kinda saw myself as the pinnacle of mainstream fascism, or at least pretty high up there. But now, being here, in the capital of post-Brexit England? Well, it seems I still have a lot to learn.”