The former deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Simon Hughes has demanded an independent inquiry into how an award-winning BBC journalist was deselected as a candidate because he is a Christian.
The intervention comes after The Independent revealed that the Lib Dems admitted to multiple counts of unlawful religious discrimination against David Campanale by a rival whom he had defeated in the race to be a candidate for Sutton and Cheam ahead of the 2024 election.
The controversy is a major embarrassment to Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey whose Kingston constituency borders Sutton and Cheam.
Sir Simon, who was deputy leader from 2010 to 2014 and is also a former MP and president, has issued his statement ahead of a court hearing this week which will settle the level of damages and legal costs to be awarded to Mr Campanale.
The party’s acceptance that it breached human rights includes allegations made by the current Sutton and Cheam MP Luke Taylor, the association, and the party leadership.
The case is set to be heard again this week at the London County Court.
In a lengthy statement Sir Simon said: “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 - such as termination of life before birth and for dying adults. People with religious faith are as much needed in British politics now as ever. And I trust that there will be zero tolerance of any recurrence of discrimination in the future.”
He added: “Following the agreed court order in this matter, I shall now make some internal recommendations to our party Federal President and Leader and to English and London Regional officers for improved procedures and practice.
“In addition, I fully support the Liberal Democrat Christian Fellowship executive officers’ request for the party to agree urgently to hold an independent enquiry into David Campanele’s treatment and its implications.
“This may be more effective if conducted by someone who is not a Liberal Democrat activist or member, and I shall also make some suggestions about this. I have no plans to make any further public statement on this case in the near future.”
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson 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.”
Previously, the Campanale case was raised during the general election by the bishops of Winchester and Guildford, as well as former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
It is not an isolated incident with claims that Tim Farron was forced to resign as leader over his Christian faith.
Meanwhile, the Lib Dems also lost a case to a women’s group in the party who it had previously barred from its conference over critical views on transgender people.
Meanwhile, a founding member of the party Jo Hayes will appear in court in her case against the Lib Dems for her expulsion in 2022.
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