Portsmouth protester charged for wearing burqa to conceal identity

Timothy Miller, a 76-year-old from Southampton, has been charged with wearing an item to conceal his identity during an anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth. Miller, who identified himself as a gender-fluid Muslim convert, was detained while wearing a burqa. He is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court to face charges under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act.

The arrest follows a period of heightened police scrutiny regarding face coverings used during recent protests in Dover and Portsmouth. Hampshire Police had previously issued a Section 60AA order, granting officers the authority to require protesters to remove masks, balaclavas, or other items used to hide their identities.

Other arrests were made during the weekend's demonstrations, which involved confrontations between groups such as the South Coast Patriots and Stand Up To Racism. Among those charged was 33-year-old David McNally for wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage. Police stated that powers to restrict face coverings would be utilized to prevent individuals from using them to facilitate violence or disruption.