Andy Drozdziak
Catholic former MP Ann Widdecombe has accused the Lib Dems of religious discrimination for deselecting Christian parliamentary candidate David Campanale.
She also criticised Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey for failing to support Mr Campanale.
Former BBC journalist Mr Campanale was the Lib Dem prospective candidate for the constituency of Sutton and Cheam, until he was ousted after a campaign from local activists because of his Christian faith and Biblical views on abortion and euthanasia. Mr Campanale is now suing the Liberal Democrats for discrimination under the Equality Act, stating that he felt ‘mocked and abused’ by fellow party members for his beliefs.
Writing in the Express, Ann Widdecombe blasted the party’s response, comparing it to a more favourable response offered to different faith groups.
“This is straightforward religious discrimination,” she wrote.
“Diversity and tolerance seem to extend to every group except Christians in modern Britain. Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and adherents of all sorts of fringe beliefs are celebrated, while Christians face a secular inquisition, especially from so-called “liberals” who claim to champion equality and inclusion.”
She went on to criticise Sir Ed Davey for ‘completely fail(ing) to reach out to, stand by or reinstate Campanale. This is not the stuff that leaders are made of.’
Ann Widdecombe pointed to a worrying trend of discrimination towards Christians, citing the examples of the SNP’s Kate Forbes and former Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, both of whom were heavily criticised for holding traditional Christian views and unable to lead their respective parties.
“We’ve seen case after case of committed Christians being punished by their own parties for staying true to their deeply held moral convictions,” she wrote.
“Have we really reached the point where one of Britain’s major political parties has no place for believing Christians?”
Catholic peer Lord Alton joined Ann Widdecombe in criticising his former party’s deselection of Mr Campanale. Lord Alton said: “It smacks of the same prejudiced intolerance that increasingly disrespects conscience and has infected too much of politics and our national life.”
“Faith was the bedrock of many of the old Liberal Party’s founders and luminaries.”
Ann Widdecombe warned of the consequences of eliminating Christians from public life and urged the main parties to give Christians a ‘seat at the table.’
“This should be a wake-up call to the Lib Dems and other parties,” she wrote.
“If they continue down this path of intolerance, the quiet majority of voters will abandon them. No one wants to see a complete secular takeover of British politics. Christians deserve a seat at the table and shouldn’t have to leave their faith at the door.”
A Lib Dem spokesman said that the party is ‘home to people of all faiths and none, including many Christians.’