Liberal Democrats Face Calls for Inquiry Over Candidate Deselection

The Liberal Democrats are under pressure to launch an independent investigation into the deselection of David Campanale, a former BBC journalist, as their candidate for the Sutton and Cheam constituency before the 2024 general election. The party has admitted to unlawfully discriminating against Campanale based on his religious beliefs.

A civil court in London is set to begin proceedings this week to determine the damages and costs owed to Campanale. The Liberal Democrat Christian Forum has publicly called for a formal inquiry into the deselection process. A party spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing legal case but affirmed that the party is "home to people of all faiths and none."

Campanale, initially selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate in late 2021, was later deselected in favor of Luke Taylor, who subsequently won the seat for the party. Court filings reveal Campanale's claims that he was "mocked and abused" by party members for his Christian beliefs, which are protected under the Equality Act. He also alleged that he was instructed not to campaign in certain wards due to his views on "matters of conscience."

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Launching an investigation would send a message that Liberal Democrats are serious about discrimination.

The party has fully accepted Campanale's claim. John Pugh, a former MP and spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum, stated, "Launching an investigation would send a message that Liberal Democrats are serious about discrimination." Tim Farron MP, a former party leader, expressed support for Campanale, acknowledging that the party "did not get this right" and urging steps to prevent future occurrences of discrimination against any protected characteristic.

Separately, the group Liberal Voice for Women has threatened to raise concerns about internal discrimination within the party with the Equality and Human Rights Commission if a review of the party's complaints system is not completed by September. The group's chair, Zoe Hollowood, wrote to the party's chief executive, arguing that complaints from its members are dismissed while complaints against them are "routinely" progressed. The Equality Act protects against discrimination based on religion or belief, including gender-critical views.

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It is right that the party now takes steps so that this can never be allowed to happen again - to anyone of any protected characteristic including Christians. And I will be pushing them to do just that.