76-year-old appears in court in burka over face-covering charge at Portsmouth protest

Mixed · 2Timothy Miller, 76, of Sherwood Avenue, Hedge End, Southampton, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court wearing a burka and carrying a black handbag, to contest a charge of using the garment to conceal his identity at an anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth on 12 September. 1 2 Mixed · 2District Judge Stephen Apted asked him to remove his face covering so he could be identified, and Miller lifted the veil to confirm his name, date of birth and address. 1 2 Mixed · 2The charge is of using the burka to conceal his identity within a designated area under section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026; Miller pleaded not guilty, saying: "As I am in every police camera, I am not guilty." 1 2

Mixed · 2Miller said he held an "exemption" for Islamic religious observance, which he said he had told police about. Asked to confirm the religion was Islam, he first declined to answer, then said he was studying Islam and wore the burka to gain a "greater understanding" from "this side of the veil" as part of considering changing religion. 1 2 Mixed · 2He told the court he had lived in Morocco and travelled to Bahrain and Dubai, said the country was moving towards an Islamic society, and said questioning people about their religion was a "very dangerous path", adding that Jews were under similar pressure. 1 2 Mixed · 2Miller said his arrest was unlawful because he complied with everything, was visible on every camera including drones, and was never asked to remove his face covering. 1 2

Mixed · 2Miller is unrepresented but said he is crowdfunding for lawyers. Judge Apted adjourned the case for trial at the same court on 16 February, said any defence representatives must produce a report supporting the claim that a man considering moving to Islam can wear a burka in public to understand the religion, and released him on unconditional bail. 1 2