Airlines and crosses

Nadia Eweida has lost her appeal against British Airways. Her only misdemeanour as a check-in clerk with BA was that she refused to conceal a Christian cross underneath her uniform.

Ms Eweida did not work in some Muslim corner of the world, where the wearing of Christian symbols could have brought about violent protests against the airline, but in Britain itself, reputedly one of the most civilised countries in the world.

Astonishingly, British Airways allows the wearing of other religious symbols at work. These include Sikh men who wear turbans in BA's colours and Muslim women who wear the Hijab head scarf, because, according to Willie Walsh, chief executive officer, "the uniform policy it is not practical for some religious symbols such as turbans and hijabs to be concealed under a uniform". How conveniently accommodating and laughable!

Facing criticism Mr Walsh said: "I am proud to lead an airline that has a track record on diversity and inclusion which is second to none". To the exclusion of Christians, one may add.

Well, since BA chooses to banish Christians and crosses, in solidarity with Miss Eweida I have decided to avoid travelling on that airline. Instead I will make it a point that when flying to London I will do so with our national carrier that so proudly brandishes the Christian Maltese Cross as part of its livery.

We'll leave British Airways to its multiculturalism and the appeasement of all and sundry cultures, bar the Christians who do not resort to violence and vandalism when offended.