Sacked S4C boss Sian Doyle slams chairman in government letter

The former chief executive of S4C has written to the UK government's culture secretary saying the channel's chairman is the "embodiment" of a "culture of fear, secrecy and excessive control".

Sian Doyle was sacked on Friday in a "difficult but unanimous decision" by S4C's independent board members.

The letter to the culture secretary asks a series of questions about S4C Chairman Rhodri Williams's behaviour.

Ms Doyle has not responded to requests for an interview.

The letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer was published on a new account Ms Doyle has created on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In it, questions were raised about the decision to commission legal firm Capital Law to investigate allegations of bullying by the Welsh-language channel's management team members, raised by the Bectu union earlier this year.

Ms Doyle said she had previously contacted the department for culture, media and sport (DCMS) several times raising concerns about governance at S4C.

"I consistently highlighted to your department and to the board that the internal culture was a significant barrier and a barrier to change," she said.

She claimed the DCMS responded to her concerns by saying internal issues were matters for S4C.

In her letter, she asked: "Had the issues taking place in S4C happened in England - in the BBC or Channel 4 - would the DCMS have taken the same hands-off approach?"

Earlier this year, Newyddion S4C sent a freedom of information request to the UK government, asking for any correspondence between S4C and DCMS representatives regarding allegations of bullying.

Despite the government confirming it held relevant information, and that the legal deadline had elapsed, it said it would respond by mid-December after conducting a "public-interest test".

In her letter, Ms Doyle also claimed she was unfairly dismissed, without due process and "will deal with that issue through a proper legal process".

Ms Doyle said she had many successes as chief executive at S4C and had been victim of "sinister attempts to silence" her.

She said these included "threatening text messages from unknown phone numbers late at night, anonymous freedom of information requests" asking who was staying at her home and "private and confidential details" about her health "leaked to the media".

The DCMS said: "As a public service broadcaster funded by the licence fee, it's important S4C upholds the highest standards.

"However, they cannot comment on individual staffing matters."

Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd's culture, communications, Welsh language, sport and international relations committee, released a separate statement.

"Continued allegations in the media related to the leadership of S4C are concerning, more so given how important the success of the channel is for the Welsh language and Wales as a country," she said.

"Given the level of speculation, the committee is keen to hear from the S4C board as soon as possible.

"With the departure of the chief executive and an ongoing internal investigation, it is not possible to take evidence at present."

S4C said it had nothing to add to a statement issued last Friday confirming Sian Doyle's dismissal.

In it, it said: "The nature and weight of the evidence provided was deeply troubling. It has undoubtedly been a challenging time for many individuals."

It apologised for the "stress and anguish" caused by behaviours in the workplace and said it was "clear from the evidence" action needed to be taken to secure change within S4C.