Thanet District Council could face a judicial review of new measures to ban certain activities, including the use of ‘foul or abusive language’.
The Free Speech Union (FSU) has sent a pre-action protocol letter to the Kent authority over a public space protection order (PSPO) covering the towns of Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Birchington.
The PSPO, which came into force on 31 July, states: ‘All persons are prohibited from using foul or abusive language in such a manner that is loud and can be heard by others and cause either alarm or distress to any other person in any public place.’
The order also bans the misuse of public space, anti-social group congregation, and ‘inappropriate harmful and degrading related activity’, with a £100 fine for offenders.
The FSU claims the order is without legal foundation for several reasons, including because the public consultation was flawed; it is unclear about what actions are banned; it is not necessary in a democratic society; and it runs against rulings by the European Court of Human Rights.
Thanet District Council has been contacted for comment.
