A former leader of the Liberal Democrats has said that the party must act over anti-Christian discrimination within the party to prevent further discrimination.
Tim Farron has said that his party had failed David Campanale, a prospective parliamentary candidate who was discriminated against and forced out after being “mocked and abused” for his beliefs.
The party admitted earlier this year to multiple counts of unlawful discrimination against Mr Campanale and agreed to pay damages.
The case is scheduled to return to court tomorrow to determine the extent of the damages to be paid.
Mr Farron told The Telegraph that he had “always found the Liberal Democrats to be a welcoming home for all faiths” and that the party supported him after scrutiny regarding his own faith.
He continued: “In this particular case, it is clear that the party did not get this right.
“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.”
His comments mark the first time any Lib Dem MP has spoken publicly on the case.
Tim Farron has called on the Liberal Democrats to act on anti-Christian discrimination within the party
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Mr Campanale was selected as a PPC in December 2021, but he was subject to a campaign to remove him almost immediately.
He claimed this was “motivated primarily by animosity” to his Christian beliefs.
At least six complaints were made in what the local party chair described as a “concerted and organised campaign” amid a “febrile atmosphere.”
The campaign against Mr Campanle was focused on the fact he had been a member of the Christian People’s Alliance, which campaigned against abortion and gay marriage.
Mr Campanale previously told GB News that Sir Ed Davey has ‘let him down’
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GB NEWSThe complaints, which were dismissed, included that Mr Campanale “has made contributions defending Christian values.”
His legal team stated that he was “mocked and abused in relation to his beliefs and was asked if he was enjoying his martyrdom just like Jesus did.”
He was formally removed from selection in August 2023 and later launched legal action in 2024 after raising various complaints at all levels of the party, which he believed were never investigated properly.
The party had initially denied any wrongdoing, as it originally said it “had a right to deselect” candidates who “expressed religious beliefs” that did not align with party views.
Once the case went to court, the party admitted it had “unlawfully discriminated” against Mr Campanale over “ his protected beliefs,” and had breached the Equality Act 2012.
Olivia Honeyman, the chairman of the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum, said that Mr Campanale had pursued his case “to establish a simple principle – that political parties are not above the law.”
Sir Simon Hughes, a former justice minister, said there should be an “unqualified official apology” from the party.
He added: “Liberal Democrats and all members of democratic and law-abiding UK parties must respect that Christians, like those of other faiths, must be entitled to live and vote in accordance with the beliefs of their faith on matters of conscience.”
A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: “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.”