Welsh TV executive sacked for ‘drunkenly unleashing torrent of abuse at British Lions rugby star’ is awarded a payout after suing for wrongful dismissal

A BBC license fee-funded TV channel has paid a female manager accused of drunkenly abusing a British Lions rugby star.

Former manager Llinos Griffin-Williams, 42, allegedly used abusive language towards former Wales rugby player Mike Phillips at an after-party.

The event took place following the match between Wales and Georgia in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

He allegedly insulted Mr Phillips by telling him his Welsh language skills were not good enough.

Ms Griffin-Williams has been nominated for the £124,000-a-year chief content officer role at S4C – Channel 4 in Wales.

He was dismissed for ‘gross misconduct’ following the bankruptcy.

The mother-of-two later claimed £565,000 for undisclosed claims for loss of earnings, as well as damage to her reputation and damage to her emotions and health.

But he and the TV company have now reached a financial settlement that ends the legal proceedings.

Mike Phillips is Wales’ highest-scoring scrum-half and played on three British and Irish Lions tours

The TV channel, which receives most of its funding from the BBC license fee, confirmed it had settled Ms Griffin-Williams’ data protection claim in the High Court against S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams.

The following statements were made in the statement: ‘The terms of the agreement are confidential and the agreement was reached without accepting any liability.

‘The parties have concluded that it is in everyone’s interest to resolve the dispute to avoid protracted litigation.

‘They are pleased to have reached a solution that will enable everyone to move forward.’

A senior S4C source previously told The Daily Mail: ‘Llinos Griffin-Williams was being personally abusive to Mike Phillips and saying things like if it wasn’t for him no one would know who he was. He also said his Welsh wasn’t good enough.

On arrival at the ‘Venue’ Llinos Griffin-Williams became abusive towards members of the Whisper team, including one of the experts, Mike Phillips.

He was clearly very drunk and told them they could no longer get contracts to produce programs for S4C.

‘He said his job at S4C was to make sure big production companies like Whisper took less work from the channel.’

Mr Phillips, Wales’ best-known scrum half and even dating pop star Duffy, left the after-party to go elsewhere.

But Ms Griffin-Williams allegedly appeared there and ‘continued her abusive comments’.

Terms of the deal remain confidential, but it is understood to be a six-figure sum.

Court documents quoted three sources who raised concerns about the manager’s behavior while working at the Rugby World Cup in Nantes.

Ms Griffin-Williams was dismissed shortly after the party and was not given the opportunity to plead her case.

His claims against S4C and Rhodri Williams included misconduct in public office and breaches of privacy, the Data Protection Act and the GDPR.

He has always denied allegations about his behavior at the S4C event during the Rugby World Cup.

In documents submitted to the High Court, he questioned the reliability of accounts of his behavior, claiming one of them was based on hearsay.

He alleged that Mr. Williams gave no advance notice of the allegations or exercised his right to respond and acted without the approval of senior leadership.

Other court documents included abusive messages allegedly sent by Griffin-Williams to a senior member of the team.

Griffin-Williams had claimed she was treated differently than other senior figures at the broadcaster who had faced allegations that “may amount to gross misconduct”.

Llinos Griffin-Williams said of his deal with S4C: ‘I am delighted that this terrible chapter is finally over after two and a half years. ‘This has been an extremely difficult time for my family and me. No amount of financial compensation can take away the pain and trauma my children and I have endured.

‘I tried hard to resolve this matter privately but had to seek justice through the courts. Reaching this agreement now allows me to focus on my recovery and rebuilding my life.’

Emma Linch, partner at Simons Muirhead Burton, who represented Llinos Griffin-Williams, said: ‘This deal has shortened an expensive and stressful process. ‘I am delighted that he can now focus on his family, his health and continue his career as an outstanding professional in the media industry.’

Sian Doyle, 58, was sacked as chief executive of Welsh-language channel S4C over bullying allegations

S4C has resolved a separate claim made by former CEO Sian Doyle in October last year.

Ms Doyle, 58, was sacked from her position as chief executive of Channel 4’s Welsh-language channel S4C in Wales over bullying allegations.

Ms Doyle was accused of making a series of abusive remarks in front of colleagues and threatening fellow workers with ‘dictatorial’ dismissal.

However, he filed a lawsuit in the High Court and applied to the Labor Court for unfair dismissal, saying that he was on sick leave when he was dismissed and could not object to the allegations.

In the days following her dismissal of her husband, Rob said he was hospitalized for a drug overdose.

Ms Doyle is understood to have called off the actions after receiving compensation of more than £500,000.