Settlement Reached with Former Chief Content Officer
A second former executive of S4C has received a substantial financial settlement, bringing legal proceedings to a close.
S4C, primarily funded through the BBC licence fee, confirmed it has resolved a High Court data protection claim filed by former chief content officer Llinos Griffin-Williams against both S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams.
The broadcaster stated:
"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."
Earlier, in October 2023, S4C settled a separate claim brought by former chief executive Sian Doyle.
A source informed Newyddion S4C that no public funds were used for Doyle's settlement.
S4C has been asked whether public money was involved in the settlement with Griffin-Williams. When questioned about the impact on insurance premiums and the use of public funds for legal expenses, S4C declined to comment.
Reports have suggested Doyle's settlement exceeded £500,000.
Griffin-Williams had initially claimed £565,000 in lost earnings and other unspecified damages. Although the terms of her settlement remain confidential, it is understood to be a six-figure amount.
Background to Griffin-Williams’s Dismissal
Llinos Griffin-Williams was dismissed from her £124,000-per-year role as chief content officer in October 2023 following allegations that she drunkenly abused former Welsh rugby scrum-half Mike Phillips during the Rugby World Cup.
In court documents, three sources expressed concerns regarding Ms. Griffin-Williams's conduct in Nantes.
She was dismissed shortly after the alleged incident without an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
In her legal submissions, Griffin-Williams challenged the credibility of the accounts describing her behaviour, suggesting that one of the reports may have been based on hearsay.
Other court documents referenced messages containing expletives, purportedly sent by Griffin-Williams to a senior team member involved in the broadcaster's tournament coverage.
Griffin-Williams claimed she was treated differently compared to other senior S4C figures who faced allegations potentially amounting to gross misconduct.
S4C stated at the time that there was "no record of complaints about the alleged inappropriate behaviour of any other member of S4C staff." No liability was admitted by S4C or Rhodri Williams.
Griffin-Williams’s Complaints and Health Issues
Griffin-Williams outlined several complaints against her former employer, including a grievance against Rhodri Williams that was upheld. She reported that her health deteriorated due to stress experienced during her tenure at S4C, including stress-induced cardiac problems.
She later required open-heart surgery and intensive care.
She attributed her health issues to press briefings made against her and stated that S4C was warned that further stress could adversely affect her condition.
"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."
Response from Rhodri Williams
Rhodri Williams commented:
"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."
Previous Settlement with Former CEO
Former S4C chief executive Sian Doyle was dismissed after accusations of being "dictatorial." The broadcaster settled her claim in October 2023.
S4C has been approached for further comment regarding the recent settlement.
