S4C chair tells MPs dismissing Welsh broadcaster's chief executive was 'right decision'

January 10, 2024

The chair of a public service broadcaster has said it was "the right decision" to dismiss its chief executive.

Sian Doyle was sacked as chief executive of Welsh-language channel S4C in November after an investigation into the organisation's culture.

The report - conducted by commercial legal firm Capital Law - said Ms Doyle's leadership style was "dictatorial" and found she was "creating a culture of fear".

The chair of S4C's board, Rhodri Williams, told a committee of MPs on Wednesday that non-executive members of the board "acted decisively and quickly to terminate the chief executive's employment".

"I think throughout this we have done the best in the interests of the staff of S4C and also in the interests of the organisation as a whole," he said.

Ms Doyle was admitted to hospital last month following her dismissal.

In a statement released at the time, her husband said she had "suffered a sustained pattern of retaliation, unfair treatment, and bullying at the hands of the chairman of S4C".

Mr Williams denies the allegations.

"It has been suggested in some of the comments that have been in the press that this is something that I've driven, that I've made decisions. I would refute those allegations completely," he said.

"All the key decisions in relation to the Capital Law investigation and its conclusion have been ones that have been taken by the board, and each one has been unanimous."

Mr Williams said the search for a new chief executive would get under way "sooner rather than later".

"That process needs to be well-planned and then I think we need to undertake a thorough and wide-ranging search for the best possible candidate," he added.

"The opportunity to lead that organisation and to provide the kind of leadership that is required to take the staff and the production sector with us on that journey is one that will appeal to many people and I'm optimistic that we will, in due course, appoint a permanent chief executive who will be able to lead the organisation and take it forward."

Sky News has been told Ms Doyle won't be making any statements in response to Mr Williams.

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