Settlement Reached Between S4C and Former Deputy Manager Llinos Griffin-Williams
Llinos Griffin-Williams has initiated legal proceedings against S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams.
S4C has announced that the channel has reached a financial settlement with a former deputy manager who brought a High Court case against them.
The former chief content officer of the broadcaster, Llinos Griffin-Williams, filed a data protection claim against S4C and the ex-chairman, Rhodri Williams.
In a statement, S4C said the "parties concluded it was in everyone's interest to resolve the dispute to avoid a lengthy legal case. They are pleased to have reached a resolution that allows all involved to move forward."
In October last year, S4C announced a settlement with former chief executive Sian Doyle, who had brought a personal injury claim against the broadcaster.
S4C is primarily funded through the licence fee.
A source told BBC Cymru News that no public funds were spent on the settlements themselves.
S4C declined to comment on the impact on insurance premiums or whether any public money was used for legal fees.
Press reports at the time indicated that Sian Doyle received over £500,000 as part of her settlement.
According to documents submitted to the High Court, Llinos Griffin-Williams claimed £565,000 in lost earnings and additional amounts related to alleged damages.
The total amount of her settlement has not been disclosed, but it is believed to be a substantial six-figure sum.
Background
Llinos Griffin-Williams was dismissed as S4C's chief content officer, a role in which she earned an annual salary of £124,000 according to the broadcaster's annual report, in October 2023.
She was accused of serious misconduct following allegations that she verbally abused former Wales rugby player Mike Phillips during the Rugby World Cup in France.
Documents shared with the High Court revealed that three individuals raised concerns about Ms Griffin-Williams's behaviour.
She was dismissed shortly after the alleged incidents without being given an opportunity to respond.
In documents submitted on her behalf to the High Court, Ms Griffin-Williams challenged the evidence against her, questioning the reliability of the witnesses.
Other court documents revealed text messages allegedly containing insults sent by Ms Griffin-Williams to a senior member of the company producing the Rugby World Cup programmes on behalf of the broadcaster.
Ms Griffin-Williams stated that she was treated differently from others in influential roles at S4C who had faced allegations "that could be equivalent to serious misconduct."
At the time, S4C said they had "no record of inappropriate behaviour by any other S4C staff member."
Neither S4C nor former chairman Rhodri Williams, who was also named in the claim, admitted any liability as part of the settlement.
In a statement issued through a communications company, Ms Griffin-Williams outlined some of her complaints against her former employer, including a grievance against former chairman Rhodri Williams—which was upheld.
She said her health deteriorated due to the "stress" she experienced during her time with S4C, "including heart problems related to stress."
The statement indicated she required heart surgery and a period of intensive hospital care.
She attributed the stress to information shared with the media about her, adding that S4C had been warned that further stress could affect her health.
"I am glad this dreadful chapter has ended after two and a half years," she said in the statement.
"A public broadcaster should operate with transparency and dignity. What I experienced does not meet those standards.
"We live in a world where powerful men feel entitled to belittle and destroy women. Here, a public broadcaster allowed that to happen.
"It saddens me that a channel so important to Wales has failed so significantly to uphold the values it should maintain."
Rhodi Williams said it was "good to be able to end the dispute without any admission of liability."
He described the period as "extremely difficult" for her and her family and said no payment would "heal the trauma and pain I and my children have experienced."
Although she "tried to resolve the matter privately," she said she was forced to go through the courts, and the settlement allows her to "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 abuse and misuse of power, and they should not be threatened into silence."
Rhodi Williams added:
"This has been a difficult and highly unpleasant period for everyone involved in the matter.
"The legal advice that led to the dismissal of Llinos Griffin-Williams for gross misconduct was unequivocal and acted upon directly on that basis.
"It is good to be able to end the dispute without any admission of liability on the part of S4C or myself."
S4C has been asked for a response to the statement.
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Disgrifiad o’r llun, Dywedodd Rhodri Williams ei bod yn "dda gallu dod â'r anghydfod i ben heb unrhyw gydnabyddiaeth o atebolrwydd"
