Man charged with concealing identity at anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth

Anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters took to the streets of Portsmouth on Saturday (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire Ellie Ng 4 minutes ago A 76-year-old man has been charged with concealing his identity at an anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth after police warned they would use powers to arrest demonstrators wearing face coverings.

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

It comes after anti-migrant and anti-racism protesters faced off in the city centre on Saturday.

Counter protesters held signs in support of the RNLI (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire Police used powers under the Crime and Policing Act to restrict face coverings following anti-immigration protests featuring masked men in Portsmouth and Dover last weekend.

Another man and a teenage boy were arrested at the protests on Saturday.

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

A 16-year-old boy, from Waterlooville , who was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes last week, has been released on bail until December 12.