The UK government is scrapping controversial powers to force internet companies to take down “legal but harmful” content, following a backlash from the tech industry and free speech advocates.

The measure had been expected to form part of the long-awaited Online Safety Bill and would have represented a radical departure from existing global rules that police some of the world’s biggest technology companies, from Facebook to Google.

The move had been pushed by former home secretary Priti Patel among other former ministers, during the tenure of ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. While the new Conservative administration led by Rishi Sunak intends to press on with the legislation, it has removed the most controversial measure ahead of the bill returning to the House of Commons on December 5.