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| BA drops ban on wearing crosses | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| British Airways is changing its uniform policy to allow all religious symbols, including crosses, to be worn openly. | |
| BA announced a review last year after a row erupted when Heathrow check-in worker Nadia Eweida challenged a ban on her visibly wearing a cross necklace. | |
| The airline now says it will allow religious symbols such as lapel pins and "some flexibility for individuals to wear a symbol of faith on a chain". | The airline now says it will allow religious symbols such as lapel pins and "some flexibility for individuals to wear a symbol of faith on a chain". |
| Previously BA banned crosses on chains, but allowed hijabs and turbans. | Previously BA banned crosses on chains, but allowed hijabs and turbans. |
| The airline argued these could be visible as part of uniform as they could not be worn underneath clothing. The distinction was condemned by bishops and a number of politicians. | The airline argued these could be visible as part of uniform as they could not be worn underneath clothing. The distinction was condemned by bishops and a number of politicians. |
| Unintentionally, we have found ourselves at the centre of one of the hottest social issues in current public debate Willie WalshBA chief executive | Unintentionally, we have found ourselves at the centre of one of the hottest social issues in current public debate Willie WalshBA chief executive |
| The row attracted much media attention, with even Tony Blair being drawn in. | The row attracted much media attention, with even Tony Blair being drawn in. |
| Asked at a conference by BA's Martin Broughton how they should handle the issue, the prime minister advised them to "do the sensible thing". | Asked at a conference by BA's Martin Broughton how they should handle the issue, the prime minister advised them to "do the sensible thing". |
| The company has always argued it never intended to discriminate against Christians in its policy on jewellery, but was bound to follow anti-discrimination laws to the letter. | The company has always argued it never intended to discriminate against Christians in its policy on jewellery, but was bound to follow anti-discrimination laws to the letter. |
| Reasonable option | Reasonable option |
| During the review, BA consulted staff and customers, examined the uniform policies of other organisations and canvassed the opinions of the Church of England, Roman Catholic Church and Muslim Council of Britain. | During the review, BA consulted staff and customers, examined the uniform policies of other organisations and canvassed the opinions of the Church of England, Roman Catholic Church and Muslim Council of Britain. |
| British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "Unintentionally, we have found ourselves at the centre of one of the hottest social issues in current public debate. | British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "Unintentionally, we have found ourselves at the centre of one of the hottest social issues in current public debate. |
| "Most of those consulted felt that a lapel pin was an acceptable and reasonable option. For the majority of our staff, this was the preferred option. | "Most of those consulted felt that a lapel pin was an acceptable and reasonable option. For the majority of our staff, this was the preferred option. |
| "However, some respondents believed that limiting the change to a pin would not satisfy all Christians. | "However, some respondents believed that limiting the change to a pin would not satisfy all Christians. |
| "Comparisons were made between the wearing of a cross around the neck and the wearing of hijabs, turbans and Sikh bracelets. For this reason, we have decided to allow some flexibility for individuals to wear a symbol of faith on a chain." | "Comparisons were made between the wearing of a cross around the neck and the wearing of hijabs, turbans and Sikh bracelets. For this reason, we have decided to allow some flexibility for individuals to wear a symbol of faith on a chain." |