European Court to rule on Christian freedom cases

Nadia Eweida and three other Christians turned to the European Court of Human Rights after losing their religious freedom cases in the British courtsAP

The European Court of Human Rights is due to hand down its judgement on four cases relating to the freedoms of Christians in the UK.

Cases were brought before the court by airline worker Nadia Eweida, nurse Shirley Chaplin, relationship counsellor Gary McFarlane and registrar Lillian Ladele.

Eweida and Chaplin were told by their employers that their cross jewellery could not be visible at work.

The employers of McFarlane and Ladele refused to accommodate Christian conscience in the workplace.

The Government is contesting the cases, arguing that religious freedom protections only concern the private sphere.

Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of the Christian Legal Centre, said: "These are landmark cases and we have waited a long time to get to this point.

"At stake is not only the future shape of Christian involvement in community life but the protection of important personal freedoms in a diverse society."