David Campanale, a former Liberal Democrat candidate, is pursuing a civil case against the party, claiming that discrimination against his Christian faith cost him his political career and is seeking damages of £790,000. The Central London county court is now tasked with determining the value of a political career, as the party has admitted discrimination but disputes the amount.
Candidate's removal and legal claim
Campanale, a former BBC journalist, was selected as the party's candidate for Sutton and Cheam in 2021 but was removed in August 2023. The Liberal Democrats have admitted claims of direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of religion or belief under the Equality Act, as well as a failure to address complaints Campanale made about his treatment. This admission leaves only the amount of damages to be decided by the court.
Campanale's schedule of loss, seen by the Guardian, sets his claim at £788,740.75, including interest. This figure includes compensation for injury to feelings, aggravated damages, past and future earnings, the loss of an MP's pension, counselling costs, and what he terms the “loss of a chance” or “loss of political capital”.
Party's counter-argument
In a counter-schedule filed on Friday, the Liberal Democrats described Campanale's claim as “grossly inflated and egregious”. Their lawyers argue that £14,000 should be awarded for injury to feelings, noting that as a volunteer political party member, Campanale could have been expected to withstand “rigorous political debate and criticism”. They have set aggravated damages, past and future loss of earnings, an MP's pension, and the loss of political capital at £0.
Campanale alleges he was mocked and abused over his Christian beliefs and faced an organised campaign to remove him, with some activists refusing to campaign for him. In his claim, he describes a meeting in January 2022 where about 30 people questioned his Christianity and asked if he was enjoying his “martyrdom just like Jesus did”. He also claims he was excluded from election leaflets and told not to campaign in certain wards because activists disagreed with his beliefs.
Alleged pressure and political fallout
The claim also references a phone call in March 2022 in which Luke Taylor, his replacement, allegedly told him that he had no right to a conscience based on his faith and that a “secular party” was being built with no place for Christians. After Campanale's removal, Taylor won the seat with a majority of 3,801. The seat has since become safer for the Lib Dems, with recent polls putting them well ahead of the Conservatives.
The case 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 has urged the party to apologise, citing “manifest discrimination” against Campanale and noting that party figures at all levels failed to intervene. Rowan Williams, the former archbishop of Canterbury, warned that the party's position could make it “impossible” for Christians and others with strong religious beliefs to represent the party.
Party's defence and response
Before admitting the claims, the Liberal Democrats had argued in their defence that the party could deselect candidates where the expression of religious beliefs conflicted with its policies or values. The defence also described as a “statement of fact” that the era associated with prominent Christian Liberal Democrats such as Shirley Williams and Charles Kennedy was over.
A Lib Dem spokesperson said before the counter-schedule was submitted: “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.” The court will now determine the final damages award, with Campanale's claim and the party's counter-schedule presenting starkly different valuations of his losses.
