Christian Lib Dems feared being ‘cleared out’

CHRISTIAN Liberal Democrats feared that they would be expelled from the party in a “night of the long knives” after a hopeful MP was interrogated over his faith.

The Telegraph revealed yesterday that David Campanale, a former BBC journalist, was deselected after questions were raised about his faith. Yesterday, the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum (LDCF) wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to call for an investigation. Party members began questioning Mr Campanale over his faith after he was selected to contest the Sutton and Cheam seat in 2021.

Some complained that a decade earlier he had been a member of the Christian People’s Alliance (CPA), which has campaigned against abortion and gay marriage. Amid attempts to force him out, other Christians in the party contacted him to express concern, messages seen by this newspaper reveal.

Discussing whether all former CPA members would be “cleared out”, one party member said he “wouldn’t be surprised if the night of the long knives included me”. It has emerged local officers were warned about “the feel of a witch-hunt” against Mr Campanale.

The EHRC is considering the complaint. It is understood MPS in the LDCF did not agree to the letter being sent. The LDCF executive told the EHRC that “it has become sadly clear to us that our own party has resolved not to act and is not taking these complaints ‘very seriously’”. An EHRC spokesman said: “We consider each complaint carefully and take action where appropriate.”

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: “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, and the party’s candidate selection is overseen by the Reverend Margaret Joachim.”