The Liberal Democrats have commissioned a review into inclusion and faith in the party, Premier Christian News understands.

It comes after the party in court admitted discrimination against parliamentary hopeful David Campanale, who was deselected after a group of local party activists objected to his evangelical Christian beliefs. 

Lord Newby, former party leader in the House of Lords, is to chair the ‘Inclusion and Faith Review’.

In an internal party message, leaked to Liberal Voices, party leader Sir Ed Davey and president Josh Babarinde said that the party’s constitution makes it clear that “we reject all discrimination and prejudice based on religion or belief and that we respect the right to freedom of conscience.”

The review will look into whether the candidate selection process is inclusive of different faiths and offers adequate pastoral support; whether the current party complaints process is fair; and if local party officers are trained on matters of inclusivity and conscience at party meetings, according to the memo. 

The party admitted direct and indirect discrimination in Campanale’s case. Having been selected to fight the Sutton and Cheam seat in 2021, he was deselected a year later after being subjected to intense interrogation from a group of local activists on assisted suicide and abortion.

A Lib Dem spokesperson said at the time it was an ongoing legal case, but that the party is “home to people of all faiths and none, including many Christians”.

In July, former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron told Premier: “It is right that the party now takes steps so that this can never be allowed to happen again - to anyone of any protected characteristic including Christians.”

He was joined by other leading Christians in the party, who called for an independent investigation.