Anti-Immigration Rally Arrest

A man who was detained at an anti-immigration rally for wearing a burka, which he allegedly used to hide his identity from the police, appeared in court dressed in the same attire to plead not guilty.

During the proceedings at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court, Timothy Miller, a 76-year-old from Southampton, Hampshire, entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday. He faced charges related to obscuring his identity with the burka, a garment traditionally worn by women observing Islamic customs. The police had invoked measures from the Crime and Policing Act 2025 on September 12th in anticipation of a protest against migrant boat crossings, which included a ban on face coverings in the vicinity.

This legislation includes an exemption for face coverings for reasons associated with health, religious practices, or employment. Miller asserted his right to this exemption, claiming he had communicated this to the police at the protest.

Without legal representation, Miller arrived at the court again clad in a burka. He explained to the judge that his interest in Islam was purely intellectual and that he chose to wear the garment for a “greater understanding.” He was asked to lift the veil to confirm his identity to the judge but hesitated when questioned about whether he identified as a follower of Islam.

In court, he argued, “The issue quite simply is we should all be living under one law, of which I think everybody is in agreement.” He further contended that he shouldn’t have to disclose his faith as it wasn’t a question asked of anyone entering the country. Miller expressed concerns about the growing scrutiny on religious beliefs, noting that he believed Jews faced similar pressures.

He claimed that during the protest, he was never instructed to remove the burka by police officers and stated he intentionally made himself visible to police cameras and drones, so he didn’t attempt to conceal his identity.

According to reports, Miller mentioned that while he did not have legal counsel on that day, he was seeking funds to hire a lawyer in the future. The judge postponed the case until February.