S4C settles with second former executive

A second former S4C executive has received what is understood to be a signficiant financial settlement which brings legal action to a close.

S4C, which gets most of its funding through the BBC licence fee, confirmed it has settled a High Court data protection claim brought by former chief content officer, Llinos Griffin-Williams, against S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams.

It said: "Parties have concluded that it is in everyone's interests to resolve the dispute to avoid protracted litigation.

"They are pleased to have reached a resolution which enables everyone to move forward."

The broadcaster settled a different claim brought by former chief executive Sian Doyle in October last year.

A source told Newyddion S4C no public money was spent on Doyle's settlement.

The broadcaster has been asked whether any public money was spent on the second settlement with Griffin-Williams.

Pressed on the effect on insurance premiums and whether public money was spent on legal expenses, S4C refused to comment.

There were reports Doyle's settlement totalled more than £500,000.

Griffin-Williams had claimed £565,000 in loss of earnings and other, unspecified, damages.

The terms of Griffin-Williams' settlement remain confidential, but it is understood it is also a six-figure sum.

Llinos Griffin-Williams was sacked from her £124,000 a year position as the broadcaster's chief content officer in October 2023 after allegedly drunkenly abusing former Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips at the Rugby World Cup.

In court papers, three sources were quoted as raising concerns about Ms Griffin-Williams's behaviour in Nantes.

She was sacked shortly after the alleged behaviour, without an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

In documents submitted to the High Court, she challenged the credibility of accounts of her behaviour, one of which she alleged may have been based on hearsay.

Other court documents quoted messages containing expletives, allegedly sent by Griffin-Williams to a senior member of the team working on coverage of the tournament for the broadcaster.

Griffin-Williams had alleged she was treated differently to other senior figures at the broadcaster who had faced allegations "capable of amounting to gross misconduct".

S4C said at the time there was "no record of complaints about the alleged inappropriate behaviour of any other member of S4C staff".

No liability was accepted by S4C or Williams.

Griffin-Williams outlined some of her complaints against her former employer, including a complaint against Williams which was upheld, and said her health deteriorated because of "stress" faced during her time at S4C "including stress-induced cardiac issues".

She said she later needed open-heart surgery and time in intensive care.

She attributed the stress to press briefings made against her and said S4C was warned further stress could affect her health, adding: "I am pleased that this terrible chapter has finally come to an end after two and a half years.

"A publicly funded broadcaster should operate with integrity and transparency. What I experienced fell far short of those standards.

"We live in a world where powerful men can feel they have the right to humiliate and destroy women.

"Here, a public service broadcaster allowed that to happen. I am profoundly saddened that a channel of such cultural importance to Wales proved so devastatingly incapable of protecting the values it was meant to uphold.

"This has been an extremely difficult period for my family and me. No amount of financial compensation can take away the pain and trauma my children and I have suffered.

"I tried hard to resolve this matter privately, but was forced to pursue justice through the courts.

"Reaching this settlement now allows me to focus on my recovery and rebuild my life.

"If there is one thing I hope comes from this, it is that women are reminded they do not have to endure mistreatment and abuse of power, and should not be intimidated into silence."

Williams said: "This has been a difficult and unpleasant period for all concerned.

"The legal advice that led to Llinos Griffin-Williams's summary dismissal for gross misconduct was robust and the action taken was based directly on that advice.

"It is good to be able to bring the dispute to an end without any acceptance of liability by S4C or myself."

S4C has been approached for comment.