The Prime Minister has backed Christians’ right to wear a cross in the workplace and pledged to change the law if necessary to make the situation clear.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron said the matter is “absolutely a vital religious freedom”.
The comments come ahead of a case involving a British Airways worker who wanted to wear a small cross at work but was ordered to hide it.
Suppress
She is appealing her case to the European Court of Human Rights but Government lawyers are opposing her and three other religious liberty cases involving British Christians.
Speaking in Parliament, David Davis MP said: “On the 4th of September, the European Court of Human Rights is hearing the case of Miss Nadia Eweida, the lady who lost her job at British Airways for wearing a crucifix as a mark of her Christianity.
“The behaviour of British Airways in this was a disgraceful piece of political correctness, so I was surprised to see the Government is resisting Miss Eweida’s appeal.
“I cannot believe the Government is supporting the suppression of religious freedom in the workplace, so what are we going to do about this sad case?”
Vital
The Prime Minister responded that he “wholeheartedly” agreed with Mr Davis about the issue.
He continued: “I fully support the right of people to wear religious symbols at work. I think it is absolutely a vital religious freedom.
“What we will do is if it turns out that the law has the intention as has come out in this case, then we will change the law and make clear that people can wear religious emblems at work.”
Change
Speaking following David Cameron’s remarks, Miss Eweida said: “Of course, it is excellent news that the Prime Minister says he will change the law, but why doesn’t he get on with it?
“Up till now the Home Office has said it would be too cumbersome for employers to have to look after all their employees’ religious requirements.
“If Mr Cameron means what he says about overruling them, then he should not wait for the European court to decide but change the law now.”
Support
And Liberal Democrat minister Vince Cable said: “As her local MP, I’ve supported Nadia’s right to wear a cross throughout her campaign.
“I wrote to the Home Secretary 18 months ago urging her to change the law.
“So I am delighted by the Prime Minister’s announcement that the law will be changed to allow people of all religious faiths to be able to wear symbols of their religion.”
Liberty
Miss Ewedia’s case is one of four cases going to the European Court of Human Rights on the issue of religious liberty.
One of the other cases involves Lillian Ladele, a Christian registrar who was disciplined for her stance on civil partnerships. Miss Ladele is supported by The Christian Institute’s Legal Defence Fund.
The other cases involve Shirley Chaplin who was told she could not wear a cross while she worked on hospital wards and Gary McFarlane who was sacked because he did not want to give sex advice to homosexual couples.