British Airways is to lift its ban on workers openly wearing small crosses after an unprecedented backlash from MPs, bishops and customers.

BA made the decision after 100 MPs and 14 bishops joined a campaign of support for Nadia Eweida, a check-in worker who lost an employment appeal to wear a tiny cross. It comes after condemnation by the Archbishop of Canterbury and a threat from the Church of England to sell its £9 million stake in the airline.

Despite winning a legal battle against its employee, the company said it would review its uniform policy to find a way to allow symbols of faith to be worn openly. It said it would consider suggestions from staff that they be allowed to wear religious symbols such as crosses as small lapel badges. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, told The Times: “This is a most welcome development and a victory for common sense.”

Miss Eweida, who has begun a second appeal, issued a statement saying that she hoped that it would help her to win her case. “If they are going to review the policy and allow Christians their place in the workforce, it is a big relief.”

The ban on Miss Eweida caused outrage because members of other faiths, such as Muslims and Sikhs, are allowed to wear religious symbols.

Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA, said: “The recent debate about our uniform policy has unfairly accused British Airways of being anti-Christian. Though our policy is consistent with that of many other airlines, it has become clear that the policy will need to change in the light of the public debate.” The review will “examine ways in which our uniform policy will be adapted to allow symbols of faith to be worn openly while remaining consistent with the British Airways brand”.

The change of stance was immediately welcomed by MPs and the Church of England. Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative Home Office minister, said: “I cannot believe that a major company couldn’t have worked out weeks ago that the way out of this was a review instead of taking everything to the wire and losing custom and goodwill en route.”

The Labour MP Ian Austin said: “ All they have to do is let staff who want to wear a cross do so, just like the other faith symbols they are allowing staff to wear at the moment.”

All that glitters must be hidden

Virgin staff can wear turbans and headscarves, but they must undergo additional safety training on how to react if the material becomes trapped in equipment

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