Council admits decision to cancel talk over views of speaker was procedurally unlawful

Nottingham City Council has said its decision to cancel an event involving the journalist Julie Bindel over her views on transgender rights was "procedurally unlawful".

Bindel was scheduled to talk on feminist campaigning against male violence at Apsley Library on 25 June but was told by organisers that it had been cancelled last minute by the local authority.

In a statement posted on the same day, the council said it moved to stop the talk as "the speaker's views on transgender rights [were] at odds with aspects of the council's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy".

But now the council has backpedalled on its decision and agreed to compensate ticketholders.

In July, Bindel launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund a judicial review of the decision, which raised more than £39,000.

In a pre-action protocol letter, she claimed the decision was in breach of the Equality Act 2010 (in respect of her protected beliefs) and the European Convention on Human Rights (pertaining to freedom of thought, expression and peaceful assembly).

According to her lawyers, the council ultimately agreed to make a statement apologising to both Ms Bindel and to the group which organised the talk for the upset caused and a recognition that its decision was procedurally unlawful.

The council's statement reads: "Nottingham City Council now accepts that its decision to cancel the event was procedurally unlawful. Nottingham City Council apologises to Ms Bindel and Nottingham Women for Change for cancelling the event in this way and for the inconvenience caused as a result of this decision.

"It has agreed to make payment to Julie Bindel, Nottingham Women for Change and to ticket holders in respect of their reasonable losses incurred as a result of the cancellation of the event.

It continues: "Nottingham City Council has agreed that, if Nottingham Women for Change seeks to make a booking at any Nottingham City Council venue by way of a fully completed booking form, the Council will make a fresh decision in response to such request upon a lawful basis."

In an update on her CrowdJustice page, Bindel said any remaining funds would be used to support similar cases.

Adam Carey