Key facts
- David Campanale, a former Liberal Democrat candidate, is suing the party for £790,000.
- Campanale alleges religious discrimination based on his Christian beliefs led to his deselection.
- The Liberal Democrats have admitted to direct and indirect discrimination under the Equality Act.
- Campanale claims compensation for lost earnings, pension, counselling, and "loss of political capital".
- The party disputes the damages, calling the claim "grossly inflated and egregious".
- Senior party figures have called for an independent inquiry and an apology.
A former Liberal Democrat candidate, David Campanale, is pursuing a civil case against the party in the Central London county court, claiming religious discrimination cost him his political career and seeking £790,000 in damages. Campanale, a former BBC journalist, was selected as the party's candidate for Sutton and Cheam in 2021 but was removed in August 2023.
The Liberal Democrats have admitted to direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of religion or belief under the Equality Act, as well as failing to handle Campanale's complaints adequately. The court will determine the amount of damages.
Campanale's claim details £788,740.75 in losses, including compensation for injury to feelings, aggravated damages, past and future earnings, loss of an MP's pension, counselling costs, and "loss of a chance" or "loss of political capital". He alleges he was mocked for his Christian beliefs, faced an organised campaign to oust him, and was excluded from campaign materials. He also claims his replacement, Luke Taylor, told him there was no place for Christians in the "secular party" being built.
In contrast, the Liberal Democrats' counter-schedule argues Campanale's claim is "grossly inflated and egregious". Their lawyers suggest £14,000 for injury to feelings, stating Campanale, as a volunteer, should have endured "rigorous political debate". They assign £0 to aggravated damages, lost earnings, pension, and loss of political capital.
The case has drawn criticism from within and outside the party, with former leaders Tim Farron and Simon Hughes supporting calls for an independent inquiry. Farron has urged an apology, citing "manifest discrimination" and a failure to intervene. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, expressed concern that the party's position could make it difficult for Christians to represent them.
Prior to submitting their counter-schedule, the Liberal Democrats had defended their right to deselect candidates whose religious beliefs conflict with party policy, noting the era of prominent Christian Liberal Democrats had passed. A party spokesperson stated before the counter-schedule was filed that it was inappropriate to comment on an ongoing legal case, emphasizing the party's inclusivity of people of all faiths and none, including many Christians.