Decisions on religious symbols and dress code by the European Court of Human Rights appear to treat Christians and Muslims in a different light, writes Dr Claire Hogan.

Religious freedom is a right but not an absolute one, Europe’s top court said, ruling that British Airways discriminated against a devoutly Christian employee by making her remove her crucifix, but backing a British charity that fired a marriage counsellor who refused to give sex therapy to gay couples.

A British Airways employee who claimed she suffered discrimination at work because of her faith has won a landmark legal battle at the European Court of Human Rights.

A marriage therapist sacked for refusing to give sex therapy to homosexuals, a register who refused to conduct gay marriages, and a nurse and an airline steward who insist on wearing crucifix jewellery have taken their cases to the European Court of Human Rights.

British Airways faced a backlash tonight over an "extremely offensive" ruling banning a Christian employee from wearing a cross around her neck.