Liberal Democrats face £790,000 religious discrimination claim from deselected candidate
A civil dispute over the value of a political career has reached the Central London county court, with the party arguing that a volunteer should have withstood rigorous debate.
The Liberal Democrats are facing a civil claim for nearly £790,000 from a former candidate who alleges that religious discrimination against his Christianity ended his political career. David Campanale, a former BBC journalist, was deselected from the Sutton and Cheam seat in August 2023. He is now seeking £788,740.75 in damages, including interest, from the party.
The case is currently before the Central London county court. The Liberal Democrats have admitted claims of direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of religion or belief under the Equality Act. They have also admitted failing to deal with complaints made by Campanale regarding his treatment. However, the party contends that the damages claim is grossly inflated and egregious.
In a counter-schedule filed on Friday, the party’s lawyers proposed a total award of approximately £22,800. They argued that Campanale should receive £14,000 for injury to feelings, while claiming £0 for aggravated damages, past and future loss of earnings, an MP’s pension, and the loss of political capital. The party maintained that as a volunteer political party member, Campanale could have been expected to withstand rigorous political debate and criticism.
Campanale’s schedule of loss details an organised campaign against his faith. He alleges that at a meeting in January 2022, he was questioned about his Christianity by about 30 people and asked whether he was enjoying his martyrdom just like Jesus did. He also claims he was excluded from election leaflets and barred from campaigning in certain wards because activists disagreed with his beliefs.
The claim further references a phone call in March 2022 in which Campanale said his replacement, Luke Taylor, told him he had no right to a conscience based on his faith. Taylor allegedly stated that a secular party was being built with no place for Christians. Taylor subsequently won the Sutton and Cheam seat with a majority of 3,801.
The dispute has drawn criticism from senior Liberal Democrat figures. Former leader Tim Farron and former deputy leader Simon Hughes have backed calls for an independent inquiry. Farron urged the party to apologise, citing manifest discrimination and a failure of party figures to intervene. Rowan Williams, the former archbishop of Canterbury, warned that the party’s position could make it impossible for Christians to represent the Liberal Democrats.
