Blair hints of opposition to BA cross ban

Last updated at 19:16 27 November 2006


The Prime Minister gave a strong signal today that he believes British Airways was wrong to deny a Christian check-in worker the right to wear a small cross around her neck.

The case of Nadia Eweida attracted a huge amount of publicity last week after she lost an appeal against wearing the cross over her uniform.

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The airline announced a review of its policy at the end of last week following growing controversy and criticism of BA's behaviour against the Heathrow worker.

The Prime Minister was asked in public for the first time today for his views on the row when the airline's chairman Martin Broughton raised the issue at the CBI's annual conference in London.

During a question and answer session, Mr Broughton surprised onlookers by quizzing the Prime Minister about his views on uniform policy.

Mr Blair said he would give some "frank" advice, adding: "There are battles really worth fighting and there are battles really, really not worth fighting."

Mr Blair conceded that the issue of uniforms was "really difficult", adding: "I am a fan of the airline and a fan of its management, but some things arise in a certain way and you are best to do the sensible thing - know what I mean?"

Ms Eweida, from Twickenham in south west London, has one more appeal to take against BA, which is expected to be heard in the next few weeks.

Ahe has been staying at home on unpaid leave since the row blew up last month.

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