Ex-Lib Dem candidate sues party for £90,000 in compensation after she was suspended and labelled 'far right bigot' for wearing T shirt with slogan 'Woman: Adult Human Female'
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A former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate who was 'hounded out' of the party and barred from standing as an MP for wearing a gender-critical t-shirt is suing for £90,000 in compensation. Natalie Bird complains of being unfairly targeted for her beliefs after she wore a top bearing the slogan 'Woman: Adult Human Female' to a party meeting.
![[The domestic abuse survivor is pictured wearing the shirt, which prompted allegations of transphobia]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/12/93231207-14201405-image-m-5_1734438846619.jpg)
The domestic abuse survivor - who says she is 'passionate about the existence of safe spaces for vulnerable women' - was called 'an Illiberal TERF', suspended from the Lib Dems and banned from standing as one of the party's MPs for a decade. The single mother and former prospective Parliamentary candidate for Wakefield sued for discrimination, and representatives of the Lib Dem membership 'conceded the claim' earlier this year.
![[The single mother and former prospective Parliamentary candidate for Wakefield is demanding compensation from the Lib Dems]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/12/93231203-14201405-image-a-7_1734438870005.jpg)
The case is now back in court to determine how much compensation she is due, with Ms Bird asking Judge Karen Walden-Smith to award her £90,000 for 'injury to feelings' for breach of her membership contract and rights under the Equality Act. Representing her at Central London County Court, barrister Emma Walker said Ms Bird had been subjected to 'silencing, intimidating and bullying' behaviour due to her beliefs.
Her own complaints about harassment by activists in the party were not properly dealt with, while the party had 'effectively condoned' harassment of members with gender critical views, it is claimed. With her claim admitted by senior Lib Dems Mark Pack and Alison Rouse - representing the party membership - the case is proceeding only as an assessment of the amount in damages which Ms Bird is due.
