Lib Dems sued by party member victimised for upholding biological sex

A member of the Liberal Democrats is suing the party over claims it “destroyed” her political career because of her gender-critical beliefs.

Natalie Bird was subject to disciplinary action after wearing a top that defined a woman as an “Adult, Human, Female”. She was subsequently suspended and banned from standing as a party parliamentary candidate until 2029 amid accusations of transphobia.

The Lib Dems admitted in July it had directly discriminated against Bird, and subjected her to indirect victimisation and breach of contract. Bird is now pursuing £90,000 in compensation from the party for “injury to feelings”.

Legitimate view

Last month, barrister Emma Walker told Central London County Court that her client had been ostracised “for holding a view which she has every right to hold”.

Legal papers seen by The Daily Telegraph in the summer stated that Bird was bullied by party members “for expressing her views regarding biological sex and safe spaces for vulnerable women” and told she was “an ‘illiberal Terf’”.

She was also told that “if she did not agree that ‘trans women are women’, she should not be in the party at all”.

‘Out of touch’

Former BBC journalist David Campanale is also suing the Liberal Democrats after he was deselected as a parliamentary candidate for intending to vote according to his Christian convictions on non-whipped votes such as pro-life issues.

In papers leaked last year, the Liberal Democrats defended its decision to deselect former Mr Campanale by claiming his “expressed religious beliefs against abortion, gay marriage and legal sex change conflicted with the fundamental values set out” in the party’s governing document.

The party is also demanding that Mr Campanale legally prove that “Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life”, claiming that the statement submitted as part of his religious beliefs is “outside the defendant’s knowledge”.

Speaking to The Independent, the award-winning ex-journalist said: “God needs no defence. He is after all the Judge. It’s whether the Liberal Democrats continue to be seen as out of touch in the dock of public opinion with the liberalism and tolerance of the British people.”