A British airways employee has been suspended from work for refusing to remove a Christian crucifix necklace.

|PIC1|Nadia Eweida, a check-in worker at London's Heathrow Airport, told the Daily Mail newspaper that she was suing the airline for religious discrimination after being sent home for breaching BA's dress code.

The suspended worker was reported as saying: "British Airways permits Muslims to wear a headscarf, Sikhs to wear a turban and other faiths religious apparel. Only Christians are forbidden to express their faith."

British Airways has commented that its company policy states that employees must wear jewellery under their uniforms, and it explicitly states that this includes religious symbols.

In a statement, the airline said, "This rule applies for all jewellery and religious symbols on chains and is not specific to the cross."

"Other items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles can be worn as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms."

Liberal Democrat lawmaker Vincent Cable, who represents Twickenham in west London, said it was "absolutely mind-boggling that Britain's flag-carrying airline could treat its employees in such a disgraceful and petty manner."

"Nadia is a devout Christian who was displaying her faith, but in a modest and totally un-provocative manner," he said.

"It is absolutely right that other religious minorities be allowed exemption from the dress code, but why can't a Christian be treated in the same way?"

Religious symbols and dress have been a hot topic of debate in Britain this week after Foreign Secretary Jack Straw sparked controversy on the issue and a Muslim school teacher was suspended after refusing to take off her veil while conducting her English language classes.