News

12 Feb 2010

Today Liberty expressed disappointment with the Court of Appeal’s decision in the case of Nadia Eweida, the British Airways check-in employee banned from wearing a small cross around her neck.

The Court of Appeal upheld the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s judgment of November 2008, which found that banning Ms Eweida from wearing a cross was not discriminatory because Christians ‘generally’ do not consider wearing a cross as a requirement of their religion.

Although the airline changed its uniform policy to allow for the open wearing of all religious symbols, including crosses, it would not admit that the original policy was unlawful and refused to pay Ms Eweida for the three months she was suspended from work.

Corinna Ferguson, Liberty’s legal officer who represents Ms Ewedia, said:

“This is a disappointing judgment that will do little to build public confidence in equality laws protecting everyone. But this is just the sort of case that a Supreme Court is for and we have every hope that the highest court in the land will put Britain's long tradition of religious tolerance into modern legal practice.”

Dr Vincent Cable, Ms Eweida’s MP and the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, said:

“We fight on and we fight on to the Supreme Court over this important issue of principle and freedom of expression.”

Lord Carey of Clifton, former Archbishop of Canterbury and supporter of Ms Eweida, said:

“The news that Nadia Eweida's appeal has failed is a sad blow both to her personally, and the cause of religious liberties and freedoms. Her courage and endurance since 2006 when she was sent home from work for wearing a cross have been an inspiration to so many of us.

"Sadly, the failure of this appeal is likely to lead to further cases of religious discrimination. I believe it is not an exaggeration to say that people of faith are facing particular hardship in a period where different freedoms and rights are being tested against each other."

Ms Eweida has support from religious leaders, politicians of all parties and the Transport and General Workers Union.