A pensioner wore a burqa to court today as he denied concealing his identity by wearing the religious garment at an anti-migrant protest.
Timothy Miller, 76, told a district judge he was the subject of an 'unlawful arrest' during last month's protest in Portsmouth.
He denied wearing 'a burqa to conceal your identity' at the demonstration on September 12 – ahead of which police had warned they would arrest participants wearing face masks and coverings.
Around 2,000 protesters descended on the city following a small boat of migrants arriving.
Miller appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court wearing a burqa and carrying a black handbag and orange folder.
Miller, who had no legal representation, questioned why migrants are allowed to enter the UK without having their religion questioned as he was repeatedly asked about his apparent conversion to Islam.
He claimed it was part of his religious observance and that he would 'advise anyone to put the veil on and live within the veil'.
He also described having an 'inquisitive mind' and said that the UK is 'moving towards an Islamic society'. As such, Miller suggested, it will be an advantage for him to convert to Islam.
Timothy Miller leaving Portsmouth Magistrates' Court today wearing his burqa
Miller in Islamic dress at the anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth last month
He was asked to remove his veil when he was identified by the court, but then put it back on.
The defendant, from Hedge End in Hampshire, entered a not guilty plea and was told his trial at the same court will take place on February 16.
But when he was asked what his legal defence to the charge was, Miller said: 'The issue quite simply is we should have one law and I think everyone is in agreeance.'
District Judge Stephen Apted replied: 'That doesn't defend you from the charge.'
Miller said that he had an 'exemption' for 'Islamic' religious observance.
Mr Apted went on to ask Miller to clarify that he observed Islam as a religion, the defendant replied: 'As such as I am studying Islam, as it seems to be the most beneficial religion to be noticed in this climate today.'
When asked about his religion, Miller said: 'I don't feel I should answer this question because no one else is asked this question when they come into the country. Why am I being asked this?
'I have never ever heard of anyone being questioned about their religion. How can this be possible?'
Miller denied concealing his identity at an anti-migrant protest by wearing a burqa and will face trial in February
Miller told the court he was 'never once asked to remove my facial covering' during the protest
Judge Apted said: 'I am only asking you this question because my function is to manage this case. I need to identify what the real issues are in this case.'
He continued: 'You need to prove that you were wearing these items for religious observance. That is going to require some evidence.'
Miller said: 'In my mind it was unlawful arrest. I complied with everything.
'I am on every single camera. I presented myself to these cameras.
'I was never once asked to remove my facial covering. It will be on body cams.
'Therefore I feel it is unlawful arrest which also must be contested.'
Judge Apted said: 'You said to the officers I think at the time that you were converting to Islam.'
Miller said: 'I am studying Islam and it appears to be the most beneficial religion to be noticed in this climate today.
'No one else was arrested for the charge.
'It is a great part of the distinction being made in that you gain great licence by being within this religion.
'For me it has given me a greater understanding of what exactly goes on from the point of view of a person on one side of a veil to one on the other.
'It is part of my inquisitive mind to change from one religion to another. That is the process I am in.'
He added: 'Without a shadow of doubt I feel more secure and everyone is friendly and happy to deal with me.
'I would advise anyone to put the veil on and live within the veil.
'I am a religious person and I love my country and I am troubled by what I see and what it is going to take to turn this around.
'What I say is happening here is the movement generally by law and everything that we are moving towards an Islamic society, therefore it is more beneficial to me to have a full understanding and that is what I am doing.'
Miller told the court that he previously lived in Morocco and has also been to Bahrain and Dubai.
He said he was looking at crowdfunding for his legal team for the case.
Police banned face coverings for the demonstration last month after masked men blocked roads in Dover, also in protest against immigration.
Miller was pictured wearing a niqab at the protest in Portsmouth, but the charge refers to a burqa.