Lib Dems quietly commission review into religious inclusion amid case brought by dropped candidate
Summary
The Liberal Democrats launched a private review about how they treat members with religious beliefs, following a legal claim by former candidate David Campanale, who says he was discriminated against because of his Christianity. The review, led by Richard Newby, will look at candidate approval, support, complaint handling, and whether faith-based discrimination happens in the party.Key Facts
- David Campanale was selected as the Lib Dem candidate for Sutton and Cheam in 2021 but removed in August 2023.
- Campanale claims he faced religious discrimination due to his Christian faith and is seeking nearly £790,000 in damages.
- The party admitted to some direct and indirect discrimination and failing to handle complaints properly.
- Richard Newby, former Lib Dem leader in the House of Lords, is heading the review focused on inclusion and faith issues.
- The review was not publicly announced but communicated quietly to party members before the party conference.
- The review aims to assess if faith impacts candidate processes, support, complaints, and training within the party.
- Some party members criticized the review for lacking apologies or remorse and questioned its timing and transparency.
- Campanale’s claim includes compensation for emotional harm, lost earnings, pension loss, and loss of political opportunities.
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