UK Liberal Democrats admit unlawful discrimination against Christian candidate who says he faced ‘Mao-style’ interrogation

A Christian former Liberal Democrat political candidate, whose human rights the party admitted breaching during his deselection in 2023, has said he faced what he termed a “Mao-style” interrogation during which he was pressured to agree with statements against his beliefs.

David Campanale was selected as the Liberal Democrats’ (commonly called the Lib Dems) candidate for Sutton and Cheam, London, in January 2022, but was subsequently deselected in August 2023. Campanale launched a legal challenge against his deselection, arguing it was religious discrimination.

After a lengthy legal battle, the Lib Dems admitted this week that his human rights were breached during the deselection process and have agreed to pay damages. Campanale, a former BBC journalist and Lib Dem councilor, is also pursuing legal costs.

The party said in a statement it would not be appropriate to say much at this stage as it is an ongoing legal dispute.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Crux Now, Campanale said he was interrogated by 30 activists on his Christian beliefs.

“The party in the legal case has admitted to mocking and abusing me because of my faith. There was an interrogation in front of 30 activists for two hours,” he said.