Anti-migrant protester, 76, wears burqa to court to deny concealing his face at Portsmouth demo WITH a burqa

Police detain a man at a Portsmouth anti-migrant protest — the demonstration on 12 September at which Timothy Miller, 76, was arrested for wearing a niqab to conceal his identity.

Timothy Miller, 76, from Hedge End, Hampshire, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court in full burqa and carrying a black handbag to deny charges of wearing a burqa to conceal his identity at a September anti-migrant protest. Miller claimed a religious exemption, telling the court he was converting to Islam and said the UK is 'moving towards an Islamic society', making it 'more beneficial' to understand the faith. When District Judge Stephen Apted pressed him on whether he adhered to the Muslim faith, Miller replied he did not feel he should answer because 'nobody else is asked these questions'.

Miller pleaded not guilty, saying: 'As I am in every police camera, I am not guilty.'

The protest followed disorder on 6 September when hundreds blocked roads to stop coaches carrying around 140 Channel migrants from leaving Portsmouth.

The trial is set for 16 February at the same court; Miller is crowdfunding to hire London firm Joseph Hill & Co.

MetroMan wears burka in court to deny hiding his face at anti-migrant protest BBC News - EnglandProtestor wears burqa in court to deny concealing identity Daily Mail NewsAnti-migrant protester arrives at court in burqa after he was charged with breaching face-covering ban by wearing full Islamic dress to Portsmouth demo The TelegraphMan arrested for wearing burka attends court... in a burka AOL.comProtester wears burqa to deny concealing identity - AOL.com Portsmouth NewsMan wears burka in court to deny using religious dress to conceal identity at Portsmouth protest Daily EchoDefendant wears burka in court as he denies concealing identity at protest - Daily Echo

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