S4C: Report told TV boss Sian Doyle behaved like dictator

A TV boss who was sacked amid bullying accusations behaved like a dictator, an independent report has been told.

Former S4C chief executive Sian Doyle created "a culture of fear" at the Welsh-language channel, the BECTU union claimed.

Two lawyers at Capital Law spoke to 92 people who gave evidence about the atmosphere and working environment at S4C.

Ms Doyle said she did not "recognise or accept the allegations made".

Ten people broke down in tears while giving evidence, while 11 claimed working at S4C had a "detrimental effect on their health," according to the report.

In the Cardiff law firm's report, participants reported that Ms Doyle's leadership style was "dictatorial creating a culture of fear".

Allegations of abusive and bad language quoted in the report, and attributed to Ms Doyle, include disparaging comments about colleagues and S4C presenters.

Some people are quoted as saying she directly impacted negatively on their health.

One said: "The chief executive had put me in a very nasty position, many other staff too, I was aware of that.

"But my friends and my family worried a lot about my mental health at the time. I had become very tearful. I couldn't sleep."

Another employee claims to have suffered a "significant health event" after an "animated conversation" with Ms Doyle, who allegedly said she would get rid of "at least 50" people she deemed "not worth worrying about".

She is said to have regularly used the phrase "shoot one and 1,000 tremble", which is cited as evidence by some that she wanted staff to feel "anxious" and "insecure".

The investigation was instigated by a letter from the BECTU union, which claimed there was a "culture of fear" among staff.

Capital Law is independent of S4C and has not worked for them for at least five years, according to the report.

It noted that everyone who gave evidence did so in confidence, meaning the report is "a distillation of the extensive evidence received" and was not a "full record".

No recommendations are made by the report.

One employee, who said they worked under five chief executives, said they had "never felt so worthless as I was working for Sian".

A total of 29 people gave evidence of alleged bad behaviour by Ms Doyle, with 12 citing instances of good behaviour.

Ms Doyle said: "This report was commissioned and delivered by the chairman so it is no surprise that of the 92 people who participated in the investigation, the report has focused on the views of a small minority.

"For clarity, I had no notice that the report would be published today, have not been offered a right of reply by S4C and first read the report in the media.

"S4C is a remarkable organisation delivering a vital service for the people of Wales and I will look back at my time as CEO with pride."

Former chief content officer Llinos Griffin-Williams, who was sacked after allegedly criticising former Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips's Welsh language skills, also has a chapter dedicated to her.

She was sacked after an alleged incident in Nantes during the Rugby World Cup when she allegedly threatened to withhold work from a production company - but these events are not discussed in this report.

She denies this and has threatened legal action against S4C.

It is alleged she "took responsibility away" from five commissioners at S4C and could not make decisions promptly.

She is said to have regularly cancelled meetings and not communicated important messages, leading to "dysfunction and miscommunication" about what she wanted commissioning.

"Many witnesses" are also said to have voiced concern about raising issues with the HR department "particularly if issues raised were in relation to senior management".

Responding to the report, Ms Griffin-Williams said: "There is no evidence of bullying by me in this report.

"The criticism of me in the report relates to poor communication and cancelling meetings by a small number of people.

"I was not given notice of the publication of this report by S4C and not given a chance to respond to its contents."

She added that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport "must now intervene to preserve the future of S4C", adding: "The idea that this is an independent, fair and rigorous report is a fallacy.

"Once again there is a substantial lack of any duty of care or due process."

The final chapter is reserved for S4C chairman Rhodri Williams, who both Ms Griffin-Williams and Ms Doyle have complained about publicly.

The report mentions a "separate process" where a grievance by Ms Griffin-Williams against Mr Williams was raised and concluded "shortly after" a board meeting in June.

Five witnesses said the chairman should have handled the BECTU letter more delicately, with four concerned about the way he had communicated publicly about the investigation.

Two people felt there was "insufficient regard to the way the investigation had impacted on their health."

The S4C Authority said in a statement that it would "like to say sorry to those who have had to tolerate unacceptable behaviours in the workplace and for the upset that this has caused".

It added: "There is considerable work to do to fully address all of the issues raised by the evidence received.

"We will work with colleagues, including the management and transformation teams and the recently-established staff forum, to encourage an open discussion and sharing of ideas on better ways of working."