A former senior S4C employee who was sacked for gross misconduct gave her own version of events and said she was “absolutely devastated” by her “unfair dismissal” from the Welsh-language broadcaster, which she accused of not following appropriate rules and procedures . .

Llyonas Griffin-Williams was sacked during the Rugby World Cup after serious allegations were made about his behavior in France, including by former Wales international Mike Phillips. In a statement, Griffin-Williams said she “strongly denies” making the comments attributed to Mr. Phillips and that “Mr. Phillips did not complain about her.”

She also says that within 90 minutes of being fired by S4C chairman Rhodri Williams, the news appeared on the Nation Cymru website, despite “a limited number of people” knowing about it. He says that during this brief period it was possible to “infer that this information was given to the press by Mr Williams or someone at her direction”, and adds that “there was a widespread smear campaign” against her.

Griffin-Williams was fired by Williams in October. It has now emerged that in July the secretary of the S4C board upheld Ms Griffin-Williams’ complaint that Mr Williams’ behavior towards her was “threatening, aggressive, menacing and intimidating”. This happened three months before the alleged incident at the Rugby World Cup.

A statement from his lawyers, seen by WalesOnline, said Griffin-Williams made a formal complaint against Williams in June and that “an independent Human Resources investigation into his conduct has been launched”. In July, he gave evidence about Capital Law’s Williams, who had previously been asked to investigate harassment at S4C. The statement states that his complaint was upheld in late July and “it was determined that Mr. Williams acted inappropriately and did not show sufficient consideration for the health and well-being of our client.” Based on the results of the analysis, the complaint was forwarded to the Department of Culture, Media and Sports.

We have referred all allegations made by Ms Griffin-Williams both to S4C, which is funded by £89m a year from BBC licensing fees, and to Mr Williams. Williams referred us to S4C, who in turn referred us to a statement issued earlier this week that said Ms. Griffin-Williams was “dismissed for serious misconduct for a number of reasons” and that the decision was “based in evidence and legal details.” .” board.” He acknowledged that the decision was made individually by Williams, but said it was “subsequently supported by non-executive board members.”



Rhodri Williams, president of S4C

Griffin-Williams was in Nantes in early October with S4C covering Wales’ Rugby World Cup games when he allegedly behaved inappropriately, including telling former Wales star Mr Phillips, that his Welsh wasn’t good enough. She says she “did not behave inappropriately or in any way that would justify a finding of serious misconduct” and “strongly denies making the comments to Mike Phillips that are attributed to her.”

She says that just four days after returning from France and in the middle of an event where he was presenting his strategy for 2024/25 to around 100 people, Williams called her into the room and said that he had “conducted research and decided, that he did not has no choice but to dismiss her immediately for serious misconduct for her alleged conduct in Nantes.’

The statement continues: “He then handed the letter of resignation to our client and left the room before our client could respond. “He was in the room for less than two minutes.”

The statement states that it was a unilateral decision made by Williams and that S4C’s CEO, COO, head of human resources and board of directors were not aware of it beforehand. S4C accepts that the decision was made by Mr Williams.

“Clear conflict of interest”

Griffin-Williams claims that since his complaint was accepted against him, Mr. Williams “had a clear conflict of interest” and “should not have participated in the decision-making process” regarding his dismissal, “let alone in be a person to carry out an investigation.” He claims that he was not provided with any evidence and that he “did not speak to several witnesses who were present and who denied the allegations, nor to Mike Phillips, who did not press charges.” She says she spoke to Mr. Phillips the day after the alleged incident. She says she was not given the right to appeal and claims there were breaches of S4C’s employment policy and “other serious misconduct”.

“I was completely devastated by my unjustified dismissal.”

In May 2023, an investigation was launched into allegations of “bullying and toxic culture” at S4C. At the time, Williams said the board had appointed outside law firm Capital Law to conduct an investigation following allegations made by union-represented employees. In the letter, broadcasting union Bectu claims there is a “culture of fear” within the organization. He also described staff as “regularly reduced to tears” and “too scared to share their experiences”.

Griffin-Williams called for an independent investigation by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which responded by saying it was “a matter for S4C, which is independent of the government”.

In a statement, Griffin-Williams said: “I am completely devastated by my unfair dismissal from S4C, a channel whose transformation I have been very proud to have been part of over the last 18 months. My aim at S4C was to bring Welsh content to the world, open up the language to the full range of Welsh available, promote Welsh talent on screen and support a thriving production sector. I have nothing but respect for all of our partners on and off screen.

“I was fired by Rhodri Williams, President of S4C, who acted unilaterally without the knowledge of the senior management team, including the CEO and COO, and without the knowledge of the S4C board of directors. I categorically deny that Mike Phillips made the comments attributed to me, behaved inappropriately, or behaved in any manner that would justify an inference of serious misconduct.

“There was no honest and adequate investigation. I was given no evidence, no right of reply, no duty of care and no procedures or rules were followed in relation to any alleged misconduct. I was denied any opportunity to present evidence from witnesses present to refute the charges against me. Instead, these allegations were released to the press an hour and a half after my resignation and before the majority of the board of directors and senior management had been informed of my resignation. “This led to the widespread publication of very damaging accusations against me.”

In a statement, S4C said: “Lynos Griffin-Williams has been fired without notice for serious misconduct for a number of reasons following serious accusations regarding his conduct in subsequent events at the Rugby World Cup match between Wales and Georgia and 17 of October. 2023. Based on the evidence presented and detailed legal advice, the chairman of the S4C board of directors made the decision to dismiss the person in a simplified manner. This decision was subsequently supported by non-executive board members.”