A former BBC journalist is suing the Liberal Democrats after the party allegedly deselected him as a candidate because of his pro-life views before the 2024 General Election.
David Campanale, a respected journalist, claims he was deselected as the Lib Dem candidate for Sutton and Cheam because of his pro-life Christian views.
A leaked party document appears to confirm this, stating that Mr Campanale “expressed religious beliefs against abortion” that “conflicted with the fundamental values set out” by the Lib Dems.
Mr Campanale’s legal defence states that his deselection on the grounds of religious belief breaches section 10 of the Equalities Act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is investigating the case.
The Lib Dems have admitted that Mr Campanale’s replacement told him that the party of noted Christians like Charles Kennedy was “over”.
Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has warned that Mr Campanale’s deselection sets a “worrying” precedent. “It is not enough to preserve one’s private conscientious judgement, it seems; total agreement in private and in public is demanded”, he told The Telegraph.
“If it is indeed impossible even to hold dissenting views, this ought to make it impossible for Orthodox Jews and most Muslims as well as Catholic and other Christians to represent the party. Is this really what the Lib Dems are saying?”
The Lib Dem 2024 Manifesto pledged to introduce buffer zones around abortion facilities outlawing pro-life activity, potentially criminalising silent prayer as well – now set to be enforced in England and Wales from 31 October.
Mr Campanale will be speaking at SPUC’s one-day conferences in London (28th September) and Glasgow (5th October).
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “The hostility towards pro-life opinion and Christianity is on the rise in the UK, where silent prayer outside abortion facilities will soon be outlawed in England and Wales – buffer zones are already in force in Scotland.
“This censorship of belief is profoundly worrying, and people of good conscience must push back against such discrimination at all levels of society, including in politics.
“SPUC looks forward to hearing David’s talk on "Political Purges: What Role for Conscience?" on Saturday in London, and in Glasgow next month.”
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