Liberal Democrats Ordered to Pay Natalie Bird

Natalie Bird, a former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, has been awarded £14,000 in damages after being suspended for wearing a t-shirt that read 'Woman: Adult Human Female' and expressing gender-critical views. The Central London County Court ruled that Bird faced discrimination, which the Liberal Democrats had previously conceded. Bird alleged that she was targeted in a campaign of discrimination, being referred to as an 'Illiberal TERF' and feeling that the party's complaints system was weaponized against her. The judge noted that while Bird's views were controversial, there was no evidence they became transphobic or abusive. Although Bird sought £90,000 in damages, the judge explained that the compensation reflected the ongoing discriminatory treatment rather than a single incident. This case highlights the tensions between gender-critical beliefs and party policies within political organizations.