A TV boss has been sacked after “abusing” ex-Wales rugby star Mike Phillips at the Rugby World Cup.
Llinos Griffin-Williams, the exec of broadcaster S4C – Wales’ version of Channel 4 – allegedly had a drunken bust-up with the sportsman while he was in Nantes, France, commenting on the tournament.
WNSTV boss Llinos Griffin-Williams has been sacked after abusing ex-Wales rugby star Mike Phillips at the Rugby World Cup[/caption]
WNSMike Phillips was in France commenting on the World Cup when the alleged abuse happened[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationMike was a former Rugby star before becoming a pundit[/caption]
After Wales’ game had finished on Saturday, Mike ran into Griffin-Williams at an after-match party while with other members of TV company whisper, who Mike is a pundit for.
An insider at S4C said Griffin-Williams was “very drunk” and became “abusive” towards the ex-player.
The senior source said: “When they got to the venue, Llinos Griffin-Williams was abusive towards members of the Whisper team including Mike Phillips, who is one of the pundits.
“She was clearly very drunk and told them that they wouldn’t get any more contracts to make programmes for S4C.
“She went on to say that her job at S4C was to make sure that big production companies like Whisper got less work from the channel.
“Llinos Griffin-Williams was personally abusive to Mike Phillips, saying things like if it wasn’t for her no one would know who he was.
“She also told him that his Welsh wasn’t good enough.”
Mum-of-two Griffin-Williams, who was head-hunted for the S4C job just last year, was at the venue with other employees when she allegedly launched her attack.
Following the outburst, the Whisper team left in a taxi and headed to another location to avoid more confrontation.
But Griffin-Williams, who is thought to have been on around £150,000 per year, turned up at the second place and is said to have “resumed her abusive comments”.
A source said: “Llinos Griffin-Williams was dismissed for gross misconduct.
“She was drunk, which is contrary to S4C policy when working for S4C.
“Her behaviour in Nantes was also not what would be expected from a senior executive of the broadcaster.”
S4C is now being investigated over allegations of its “toxic culture” after a series of complaints from workers.
S4C was asked for a formal statement but did not provide one.
But Gwyn Loader, the channels chief correspondent for news show Newyddion, reported she left after allegations of “inappropriate incidents” in a bar in France.
He said: “Her departure comes after reported heated exchanges with production staff in two locations in Nantes, where Wales faced Georgia in the Rugby World Cup.
“A former member of staff who did not want to be named before the report was published said the allegations were ‘all too familiar’.”
In an open letter it claimed staffed complained of “being ignored, belittled, undermined, or patronised by members of the management team”.
It also said senior managers were “aggressive and confrontational” if workers raised legitimate questions.
A report is due to be published following an investigation which was launched in May.
No date has yet been announced for the report’s publication.
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