http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gl ... e-169482628 February 2012 Last updated at 21:38
Gloucestershire mayor to face trial over census refusal
The mayor of a Gloucestershire town will face a court trial over his refusal to fill in his census form.
Stroud mayor John Marjoram, a Quaker, said he refused to complete the form because of his beliefs.
At Bristol Magistrates' Court, Mr Marjoram pleaded not guilty and opted for a trial which will take place at the court on 31 May.
A census is held every 10 years to find out about the people in the UK, with the most recent on 27 March 2011.
Everyone in the country was legally obliged to complete a census questionnaire to help the government decide how best to plan and deliver public services.
Some people have objected to the fact that defence firm Lockheed Martin was employed to carry out the work.
'Human rights'
Mr Marjoram said: "I want to open up the whole case on human rights.
"The 1920 Census Act as far as I can understand, it actually goes against our current human rights.
Roger Franklin Roger Franklin, 84, refused to plead and was ordered to pay £460
"Those are the sort of things I want to challenge when I do go to court, whether they will allow me to do that of course is questionable.
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