Portsmouth Protest Charge Follows Face-Covering Rules, Wales 2026

Key Points

• Southampton man faces charges in relation to wearing or using an article to conceal identity during protest in Portsmouth.
• Timothy Miller will make his court appearance before Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
• This comes after protests against migrants and racism in Portsmouth city center on Saturday.
• The police had powers to control the use of facial coverings in accordance with the Crime and Policing Act during the demonstrations.
• Another man David McNally, aged 33, from Portsmouth was also charged in connection with the protest.
• A 16-year-old boy from Waterlooville has been granted bail after he was arrested for suspicion of violent disorder.
• The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones stated that the protests were mostly peaceful.
• These come after incidents of disorders in Portsmouth, which involved damages to police vehicles and injuries to the officers.
• The Portsmouth Patriots supporters demanded an end to small boat crossings, while Stand Up To Racism protesters organized a counter-protest.
• The context for this event also involved separate protests in Dover and the arrival of a dinghy to Eastney Marina.

Wales (Wales Times) September 13, 2026 – a Southampton man has been charged with concealing his identity during an anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth and is due to appear before magistrates.

Timothy Miller is accused of wearing or using an item to conceal his identity at a protest. Hampshire Police said he will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The charge follows demonstrations in Portsmouth city centre on Saturday, when anti-migrant and anti-racism protesters gathered in separate groups. Police imposed restrictions on face coverings after earlier anti-immigration protests in Portsmouth and Dover involved masked men.

The case is one of several developments arising from demonstrations held in the city. Another man, David McNally, 33, from Portsmouth, was charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage. He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on October 29.

A 16-year-old boy from Waterlooville was also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes the previous week. He has since been released on bail until December 12.

Why was Timothy Miller charged?

According to the North Wales Pioneer report, Hampshire Police accused Miller of wearing or using an item to conceal his identity at a protest.

The report does not state what specific item Miller allegedly used, nor does it provide further details about the circumstances of his arrest. The charge was made after police used powers under the Crime and Policing Act to restrict face coverings during the demonstrations.

Miller is expected to attend Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday. As the case is before the court, the allegation has not been tested at trial, and Miller remains legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The police action came after masked men were reported at anti-immigration demonstrations in both Portsmouth and Dover during the previous weekend. Officers used the new powers to require people involved in protests to uncover their faces.

What happened during the Portsmouth protests?

Anti-migrant and anti-racism demonstrators faced off in Portsmouth city centre on Saturday. One of the groups involved in the anti-immigration protest was Portsmouth Patriots.

Demonstrators supporting Portsmouth Patriots were reported to have chanted, “Stop the boats”, a reference to people crossing the English Channel in small boats.

A separate counter-protest was organised by Stand Up To Racism. Participants held signs carrying messages including, “RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal,” and “stop pretending your racism is patriotism”.

The demonstrations reflected opposing views about immigration, small-boat crossings and the role of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. RNLI volunteers and staff have faced abuse from anti-migrant protesters because of their involvement in rescuing people who arrive on the English coast in small boats.

Despite the tension between the groups, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said most of Saturday’s protest was peaceful.

What did Donna Jones say about the demonstrations?

Donna Jones said hundreds of people took part in Saturday’s protests and largely complied with the restrictions on face coverings.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Jones 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.”

She added that hundreds of people had taken part and that, apart from a few individuals, the protest had been peaceful and conducted in accordance with the new law requiring people to uncover their faces.

Jones said the people of Portsmouth should be able to carry out their daily activities “without fear and disruption”.

She also addressed concerns about the use of police powers to require protesters to remove face coverings. She said some people might consider the power arbitrary, but stated that police had applied it equally and impartially to everyone involved.

“I will ensure this power is used proportionately in the future for both sides of the spectrum of protesters,” Jones said.

She also thanked the hundreds of police officers who helped manage the event.

What other charges have been made?

David McNally, 33, from Portsmouth, was charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage.

The report does not specify the exact object allegedly targeted in the attempted criminal-damage offence. It also does not state which road was allegedly obstructed. McNally is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on October 29.

Police also arrested a 16-year-old boy from Waterlooville on suspicion of violent disorder linked to scenes during the previous week. The boy has been released on bail until December 12.

Because the teenager is under 18, further identifying details have not been provided in the report. The allegation remains unproven.

The separate arrests and charges indicate that police investigations continued beyond the main Saturday demonstration. Officers were examining conduct connected with both the current protest and earlier disorder in the city.

What happened in Portsmouth the previous weekend?

The Saturday protest followed disorder reported in Portsmouth on the previous Sunday night.

Hampshire Police said official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured. The report did not provide the total number of damaged vehicles or the number of officers hurt.

Crowds later gathered at Eastney Marina after a dinghy arrived across the English Channel. About 200 people were dispersed early on Monday.

The arrival of the dinghy became part of the wider dispute over small-boat crossings and immigration. Anti-migrant campaigners have used such arrivals as a focus for demonstrations, while counter-protesters have defended the work of rescue organisations and opposed anti-immigration campaigning.

The events at Eastney Marina added to concerns about disruption, public safety and pressure on police resources in Portsmouth.

How are the Portsmouth events connected with Dover?

The restrictions on face coverings followed demonstrations in both Portsmouth and Dover.

In Dover, crowds of masked men blocked road access to the port on the previous Saturday. The scenes were condemned by politicians from all major parties, according to the North Wales Pioneer report.

Dover is a key arrival and departure point for cross-Channel travel and has frequently been associated with public debate over small boats crossing the English Channel. The reported blocking of access to the port raised concerns about disruption to transport and the safety of people using the area.

The use of face-covering restrictions in Portsmouth came against this wider regional background. Police were dealing not only with a single protest but also with demonstrations and disorder connected to a continuing national debate about immigration.

What do the face-covering restrictions mean?

Police used powers under the Crime and Policing Act to restrict face coverings at the demonstrations.

The North Wales Pioneer report states that the powers were introduced after masked men appeared at anti-immigration protests in Portsmouth and Dover. Donna Jones said the restrictions were applied equally to people on both sides of the protest divide.

The report does not provide the full legal wording of the power, the precise geographical area covered or the length of time for which it applied. It does, however, make clear that police directed protesters to remove face coverings during Saturday’s event.

The charge against Miller means that the circumstances surrounding the alleged concealment will now be considered through the criminal justice process. The court will determine whether the prosecution can prove the allegation.

What were protesters demonstrating about?

The anti-immigration protest focused on opposition to small-boat arrivals. Portsmouth Patriots demonstrators were reported to have chanted, “Stop the boats”.

The counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism challenged anti-migrant messaging. Its signs included “RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal” and “stop pretending your racism is patriotism”.

The presence of the signs highlighted the competing arguments surrounding the RNLI. Anti-migrant protesters have criticised the organisation’s role in rescuing people arriving by small boat, while supporters have defended the RNLI’s maritime rescue responsibilities.

The protests therefore involved both local concerns about activity in Portsmouth and broader national disagreements about immigration policy, rescue operations and public demonstrations.

What happens next in the court cases?

Timothy Miller is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday over the allegation that he wore or used an item to conceal his identity at a protest.

David McNally is due to appear before the same court on October 29 in relation to charges of wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage.

The 16-year-old boy from Waterlooville has been released on bail until December 12 after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder connected with scenes from the previous week.

The court dates may determine the next procedural steps in each case. Further evidence, pleas and hearings could follow, but the available report does not state how the defendants intend to respond to the allegations.

What is the background to the Portsmouth protests?

The Portsmouth demonstrations formed part of a series of protests and counter-protests linked to small-boat arrivals in southern England.

Tensions increased after a dinghy arrived at Eastney Marina and crowds gathered at the site. Hampshire Police later reported damage to official vehicles and injuries to a small number of officers. Around 200 people were dispersed early on the following Monday.

The demonstrations also occurred alongside protests in Dover, where masked men reportedly blocked access roads to the port. Political condemnation followed from politicians across party lines.

Against this background, police used powers under the Crime and Policing Act to restrict face coverings at demonstrations in Portsmouth. Saturday’s event was described by Donna Jones as largely peaceful, although arrests and charges followed.

The latest developments involve allegations against two adults and one teenager. The charges are separate from the political arguments expressed by the protesters and must be considered individually by the courts.

How could the development affect Portsmouth residents and protest groups?

The development is likely to increase attention on how demonstrations are policed in Portsmouth, particularly where face coverings, traffic obstruction, property damage or alleged disorder are involved.

For local residents, the immediate issue is whether future protests lead to road closures, disruption in the city centre or increased police activity. Donna Jones’s statement indicated that authorities want demonstrations to remain peaceful while ensuring that restrictions are applied proportionately.

For protest groups, the charges may underline the importance of complying with directions issued under the face-covering restrictions and with laws concerning public highways and property. However, the outcome of the individual cases will depend on the evidence presented in court.

For people following the immigration debate, the Portsmouth events show how national arguments about small boats can lead to local demonstrations, counter-protests and police investigations. The impact on the community will depend on whether future events remain peaceful and whether further arrests or charges are made.

The available report does not establish that the protests will continue, nor does it predict additional disorder. It confirms only that police investigations and court proceedings are continuing after the demonstrations.