Photo: Richard Townshend · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United Kingdom · Nationality British — Politics / institutions

Tim Farron

British MP and former Liberal Democrat leader (2015-2017).

Documented profile covering 6 controversies, including “Repeated questions about homosexuality and 'sin' during the 2017 campaign” and “2018 reversal: regret over saying gay sex was not a sin”.

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Profile No. 0968 · Updated on 12 October 2026

6Documented controversies+ 1 background event

9Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2025–2026-06-23

Register of interests: several forms of Faith in Public support registered late and rectified in 2026

No legal proceedings

The entries concern, among other things, public relations services and political advice valued at several thousand pounds. The register makes the delays and their rectification transparent; no additional sanction or finding of personal corruption is identified in this entry.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
UK ParliamentRegister of Members' Financial Interests — Tim FarronOfficial registerVery high reliability

Last verified: 6 September 2026

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2018-01-10

2018 reversal: regret over saying gay sex was not a sin

No legal proceedings

He explained that he had felt isolated and under political pressure and described his 2017 answer as wrong. This episode is retained separately because it reopened the controversy by contradicting his campaign clarification. It does not constitute an offence.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianTim Farron says he regrets saying gay sex is not a sinMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 6 September 2026

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2015–2017-06

Repeated questions about homosexuality and 'sin' during the 2017 campaign

No legal proceedings

The controversy concerned the compatibility of his evangelical beliefs with leading a liberal party. Farron highlighted his record of supporting LGBT rights and same-sex marriage and eventually explicitly stated that he did not consider gay sex sinful. No legal wrongdoing is involved.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianTim Farron says he doesn't believe gay sex is a sinMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianTim Farron again refuses to say whether homosexuality is a sinMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 6 September 2026

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2007–2017-05-16

Abortion: 2007 comments describing abortion as 'wrong', followed by pro-choice clarification in 2017

No legal proceedings

The controversy also recalled his 2006 vote supporting a 21-week limit and mandatory counselling. Farron distinguished his private convictions from his political position and stated that he supported existing law. No judicial status is associated with the episode.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianTim Farron says he's pro-choice after 2007 interview emergesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 6 September 2026

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2017-06-14–2017-07

Resignation as Liberal Democrat leader following conflict between faith and political leadership

No legal proceedings

The resignation followed weeks of controversy over his religious views and Brian Paddick's departure from the home affairs portfolio, citing concerns about the leader's views. Farron also condemned what he considered intolerance towards believers. This was a political, not judicial, consequence.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianTim Farron quits as Lib Dem leaderMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianLib Dem peer resigns over Farron's views on homosexualityMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 6 September 2026

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2017-04-26

David Ward: controversial selection despite remarks considered antisemitic, followed by removal as candidate

No legal proceedings

Farron described some of Ward's remarks as offensive, false and antisemitic and suspended his party membership. Attribution to Farron concerns party governance and the belated handling of a controversial local selection, with explicit corrective action; Ward's remarks are not attributed to him.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Direct responsibility

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianTim Farron sacks Lib Dem candidate for 'offensive and antisemitic' remarksMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 6 September 2026

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II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

2016-06–2017-07-20
Second Brexit referendum strategy: Farron admits having 'bet the farm'
The party gained a few seats but fell far short of the expected recovery, and the strategy prompted concerns in Leave-voting constituencies. Farron subsequently explained that he had consciously accepted the risk of the party's near-disappearance to defend that position.
Sources · 1
1. The Guardian — Tim Farron: it was my decision to bet the farm on Brexit

III. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

IV. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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I. Documented controversies

Sources · 1

Sources · 1

Sources · 2

Sources · 1

Sources · 2

Sources · 1

II. Documented background

Second Brexit referendum strategy: Farron admits having 'bet the farm'

III. Constellation of documented links

IV. Has something changed?

Support the archive