The Lib Dems have called for an investigation into whether a candidate has been selected

Liberal Voice for Women, which says it will “campaign to ensure that women’s gender-based rights, representation and votes are fully respected in the party”, has threatened to raise concerns about discrimination in the Liberal Democrats’ Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The group’s chair, Zoe Holloway, wrote to the party’s chief executive Mike Dixon this week that complaints by members were being dismissed and complaints against them were being “regularly” improved.

Under equality law, religion or belief may be protected from discrimination, including holding sexist views.

The Act applies to Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate equality legislation.

The letter states that if the investigation of the party’s complaints system by the Federal Audit and Investigation Committee is not completed by September, it should be handed over to an independent outside reviewer and completed by the end of the year.

The chief executive of the party was heard to have responded that he would prioritize the support to complete the review.

Last year the party was ordered to pay £14,000 to former parliamentary candidate Natalie Bird, who was expelled from the party and banned from standing as an MP because of her gender and sexuality.

In the year In 2024, an anonymous parliamentary researcher argued that a crowd of people spent more than £11,000 to take an employment tribunal case against an unnamed Liberal Democrat MP, claiming she was rejected after she claimed she believed “sex is real, immutable and important”.

It is understood that the case was settled out of court.

A party spokesman said: “The Liberal Democrats are home to people of all faiths, including many Christians, not just one.

“Three Liberal Democrat MPs are practicing Christians in neighboring seats for Sutton and Kim, including party leader Ed Davey.”