The Liberal Democrats have conceded that they violated the human rights of an award-winning former BBC journalist, David Campanale, by removing him as a parliamentary candidate due to his Christian beliefs. This landmark case has resulted in the party, led by Sir Ed Davey, agreeing to pay damages and legal costs that could exceed £250,000.
Mr Campanale had decisively won the selection process to be the candidate for Sutton and Cheam ahead of the 2024 general election. However, he was subsequently deselected, and Luke Taylor, who had placed third in the contest, replaced him on the day the election was called. Mr Taylor went on to win the seat and now serves as the party's spokesman for London. The court papers name Mr Taylor multiple times, though a party source noted that the deselection was carried out by local party members, not Mr Taylor himself.
The Liberal Democrats have admitted to multiple counts of unlawful religious discrimination and victimisation against Mr Campanale. In their defence document, the party took the unusual step of renouncing its Christian heritage, stating it was a "statement of fact" that the era of prominent Liberal Democrats with Christian beliefs, such as Shirley Williams and Charles Kennedy, had ended. The party also initially argued that it had the right to deselect candidates who "expressed religious beliefs."
Mr Campanale's barrister, Alasdair Henderson, who is also an Equality and Human Rights Commissioner and led the investigation into antisemitism in the Labour Party, expressed disappointment at the party's failure to uphold the law over an extended period. He stated: "The Liberal Democrats have admitted that Mr Campanale was subject to several significant acts of unlawful direct and indirect discrimination because of his Christian beliefs, as well as victimisation when he tried to engage the party’s internal processes to defend himself. It is extremely disappointing to see any political party failing to uphold the law in this way."
The issue was raised during the general election by the bishops of Winchester and Guildford, as well as former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Criticism has also come from within the party, with former MP and ex-deputy leader Sir Simon Hughes protesting the treatment of Mr Campanale. The controversy unfolded in a south London target seat for the Lib Dems, bordering Sir Ed Davey's own Kingston constituency.
In response to the party's admission, Mr Campanale said: "I know Sir Ed Davey well, having been vice-chair of his own neighbouring constituency party. Despite Ed having criticised ‘growing intolerance within progressive, liberal parties the world over’ he has overseen disgraceful discrimination in his own party and on his own doorstep. His would-be party of law makers have been unmasked as arrogant law breakers."
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson stated: "This is an ongoing legal case so it would not be appropriate to comment. The Liberal Democrats are home to people of all faiths and none, including many Christians. Three Liberal Democrat MPs in neighbouring seats to Sutton and Cheam are practising Christians including party leader Ed Davey."
