A 76-year-old man has been charged with concealing his identity during an anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth, after police announced they would arrest demonstrators wearing face coverings.
Timothy Miller, from Southampton, is accused of wearing an item intended to hide his identity at the demonstration, Hampshire Police said. Officers reportedly saw him dressed in female Islamic clothing.
He is due to appear before Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The protest in Portsmouth city centre saw anti-migrant demonstrators confront counter-protesters campaigning against racism on Saturday.
Following anti-immigration demonstrations involving masked men in Portsmouth and Dover the previous weekend, police invoked powers under the Crime and Policing Act to impose restrictions on face coverings.
Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters gathered in Portsmouth on Saturday, leading to the arrests of two men and a teenage boy.
A 33-year-old man has subsequently been charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage.
The 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder linked to public disorder offences. He has since been released on bail.
Police officers were pictured speaking to the man and questioning him about his face covering
The man points while standing before a large Union Flag in Portsmouth
Several violent clashes took place between anti-migrant protesters and police, resulting in multiple arrests
Miller was allegedly protesting the face-covering restrictions by wearing a niqab-style garment, traditionally associated with Islamic dress.
He said: ‘I think that the face covering ban was alright until I saw antifa are allowed to cover their faces.
‘So now I’m considering joining the Islamic faith. I’m happier inside this today.
‘How can anybody stop anyone here from covering their faces? Everybody’s pleased with the turnout.
‘I’m obviously concerned with immigration. I can understand the immigrants’ perspective but we can see that we’ve got war coming to our streets and we’ve got to stop this pressure on society.
‘The politicians are idiots. I had 50-odd years driving cabs and I’ve seen what’s going on and it’s awful.
‘They’re not protecting the country. I’ve actually lived in Islamic countries and I think its beautiful but we don’t want it here.
‘This is England. I’ve just been wearing this today and it’s like punishment. I don’t know how women can wear this.’
Anti-immigration demonstrators confront police during a protest in the city of Portsmouth on Saturday
Anti-immigration demonstrators confront police after dispersing from Guildhall Square
Anti-migrant protesters face off with officers in Portsmouth this afternoon
An anti-migrant protester is detained by two police officers after angry clashes broke out in the city on Saturday
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said the hundreds of people who took part in Saturday’s protests were largely peaceful and complied with the restrictions on face coverings.
She said: ‘Thankfully we didn’t see repeated scenes of [last] Sunday night with assaults on police officers and criminal damage to police vehicles and people’s property.
‘Hundreds of people took part in today’s protest and, with the exception of a few people, it was peaceful and conducted in accordance with the new law calling for their faces to be uncovered.
‘The people of Portsmouth deserve to go about their business without fear and disruption.
‘While some may think it was arbitrary to use the new power directing people to remove face coverings, the police ensured it was implemented equally and impartially for everyone involved.
‘I will ensure this power is used proportionately in the future for both sides of the spectrum of protesters.’
She thanked the hundreds of officers who policed the event.
Portsmouth Patriots was one of the groups involved in the anti-immigration protest, with demonstrators chanting: ‘Stop the boats.’
In the Stand Up To Racism counter-protest, demonstrators held signs which read: ‘RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal,’ and ‘stop pretending your racism is patriotism’.
RNLI volunteers and staff have faced abuse from anti-migrant protesters over their rescue work bringing some small boat migrants ashore.
Overnight last Sunday, crowds gathered at Eastney Marina after a dinghy’s arrival across the English Channel.
Official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured, Hampshire Police said.
About 200 people were dispersed early on Monday.
In Dover, crowds of masked men blocked road access to the port last Saturday, in scenes which were condemned by politicians of all parties.
A spokesman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: ‘Timothy Justin Miller, 76, of Sherwood Avenue in Hedge End, Southampton, has been charged with wearing/using an item to conceal identity at a protest.
‘He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Monday 14 September.
‘David Kenny McNally, 33, of Winchester Road in Portsmouth, has been charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage.
‘He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Thursday 29 October.
‘A 16-year-old male from Waterlooville was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, in relation to violent public disorder at Eastney Marina on Sunday 6 September.
‘He has since been released on bail until Saturday 12 December.’
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
