Thanet District Council members have dropped plans to ban the use of ‘foul language’ after free speech activists threatened to take legal action against the local authority.
The Kent council was set to introduce a public space protection order (PSPO) banning anti-social behaviour, including swearing, in the towns of Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Birchington.
However, the local authority has now rescinded the PSPO after the Free Speech Union (FSU) sent a pre-action protocol letter to the council indicating its intention to apply for judicial review.
Thanet DC’s cabinet subsequently agreed that the drafting of the order ‘could be improved to ensure that it is fully enforceable’ but pointed out that there have been provisions regarding the use of foul language in force in Thanet since 2018.
