Boris boosts Enfield's spitting ban bid

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has given a boost to a London borough's campaign to ban spitting by saying he finds the habit "offensive".

He made the comment in response to a question by GLA member Joanne McCartney relating to Enfield Council's bid to outlaw spitting in parks and public places.

"Many people find spitting offensive and so do I," the mayor said.

So far over 500 people have signed a petition backing the proposed ban. If enough residents give their backing to the proposal, Enfield would become the first council in the country to ban spitting.

Chris Bond, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "The bottom line is that spitting is a disgusting, anti-social habit which people hate to see and it appears many residents want to see it banned, which is great news.

"We are aiming to introduce a bye-law and the residents' petition will demonstrate to the Government the strength of feeling over this issue in Enfield. If we get 2,750 signatures, we can formally debate the idea and will then write to the Government asking them to change the law for us. We're well on the way to reaching that target."