By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-01-09 09:39:47 | Updated at 2025-01-09 20:24:59
10 hours ago
A former Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate has won a discrimination case after being suspended for wearing a t-shirt with the slogan "Woman: Adult Human Female" and expressing gender-critical views.
Natalie Bird, 45, from Stockport in Greater Manchester, sued the Liberal Democrats after facing what she described as unfair targeting for her beliefs.
The single mother claimed that she was "treated like a wicked witch" as she faced a campaign of discrimination.
It was even alleged that "the complaints system was weaponised against her".
Former Liberal Democrat candidate Natalie Bird
PA
The Liberal Democrats campaigning in the 2019 General Election
PA
In her ruling, Judge Jane Evans-Gordon noted there was "no evidence that Bird's views ever crossed the line and became transphobic or abusive".
The judge awarded compensation, stating the level reflected that the discrimination was not "a one-off or an isolated incident" and likely had "a significant impact on Ms Bird".
While the compensation accounted for the unfair process of her removal as a prospective parliamentary candidate, it did not cover her lack of career progress or networking opportunities.
Bird had initially asked for £90,000 for injury to feelings for breach of her membership contract and rights under the Equality Act.
Welcoming the decision on her GoFundMe page, Bird said: "I am delighted to report that I have been awarded £14,000 in damages in my case against the Liberal Democrats. I have also been awarded 90 per cent of my costs up to 1 August 2024. All this vindicates me seeing the case through to a final hearing."
Bird's GoFundMe page raised more than £88,000 to cover legal costs.
In a significant note, Judge Evans-Gordon emphasised that political parties retain the right to select their candidates based on policy alignment.
"Political parties are entitled to choose candidates who support party policies and remove those who disagree with the policies.
"They cannot be expected to choose those who publicly disagree and undermine party policy," the judge said.
Responding to the ruling, a Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "This case relates to events that took place in 2019 under a different complaints system that has since been changed."
