Lib Dems face call for inquiry into deselection of election candidate

Lib Dems face call for inquiry into deselection of election candidateImage source, David CampanaleByPhil KempPolitical correspondentPublished2 minutes agoThe Liberal Democrats are facing a call for an independent investigation into the deselection of one of their candidates before the last election.The party has admitted it unlawfully discriminated against former BBC journalist David Campanale on the basis of his religious beliefs when he was stopped from standing in the Sutton and Cheam constituency in 2024.A civil court in London will this week begin the process of deciding what damages and costs Campanale is due.A party group, the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum, has called for an inquiry into the deselection. A party spokesperson declined to comment on an ongoing case but said the party was "home to people of all faiths and none".Campanale was selected as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the London seat at the end of 2021, before being deselected in the run-up to the general election in 2024 in favour of Luke Taylor, who went on to win the constituency for the party.Among the claims made to the Central London County Court, Campanale said he was "mocked and abused" by party members in relation to his Christian beliefs, which are protected under the Equality Act.He also claimed he was told not to campaign in certain wards where activists did not want him because they did not agree with his views on "matters of conscience".The party has accepted his claim in full.John Pugh, a former MP and spokesperson for the forum, said: "Launching an investigation would send a message that Liberal Democrats are serious about discrimination."Campanale's case has also drawn support from the party's former leader Tim Farron MP. In a statement he said that while he had always found the Liberal Democrats to be a "welcoming home" for all faiths, it was clear in this case that the party "did not get this right.&...