S4C has sacked one of the channel's senior executives following allegations of "serious misconduct" in bars in France last weekend.BBC Cymru understands that Llinos Griffin-Williams verbally attacked former Welsh rugby player, Mike Phillips, saying that his Welsh was not of a good enough standard, and that it could end his career.The corporation has also heard from sources that it threatened members of the Whisper company's production team - which produces S4C's Rugby World Cup programs - about how much work they can expect from the channel in the future.In the meantime, S4C staff members have received an email from the human resources department stating that the channel's chief executive, Siân Doyle, is currently away from work due to illness.The message says that Geraint Evans, the Director of Content and Publishing Strategy, and Elin Morris, the Chief Operating Officer will share responsibilities for the time being, and that staff should not try to contact Ms Doyle.Earlier on Friday, a spokesperson for S4C said: "Llinos Griffin-Williams has left her role as S4C's Chief Content Officer following her dismissal following allegations of serious misconduct."We will not comment further on the matter."The news comes as an independent investigation into allegations of bullying of S4C staff by officers continues.Llinos Griffin-Williams was appointed S4C's chief content officer in April last year.S4C's annual report for 2022-23 stated that Ms Griffin-Williams received an annual salary of £124,000.She was previously content director at independent company Wildflame.According to information shared with BBC Wales, Ms Griffin-Williams was in Nantes in her role as chief content officer for Wales' last group game against Georgia.After the game, in two locations in the city, an argument is understood to have taken place between her and members of the production company.The first alleged incident was at a concert in Nantes to celebrate 40 years of Clwb Ifor Bach's existence.But the row continued later in a second bar in the city centre.According to S4C's former chief executive, Arwel Ellis Owen, the channel had to act as a result of the allegations."These programs on the World Cup have been extremely well received - very positive coverage in the press about them, so that is a tragedy in itself," he said.He added that it was "extremely important to have a code of practice" within organizations such as S4C."The code of practice is in place to ensure that the commissioners who have the power do not overuse that power or misuse that power."And that is true not only in today's world where the independent sector serves S4C, but also of course within a system like S4C between staff members and so on."Therefore these guidelines are important, and it is quite clear to me that this individual has gone overboard, lost control, completely forgotten about intercourse and complained or made a complaint about individuals or company."I believe that S4C had to make a decision like this once the thing had come out, either publicly or by complaints from the individual or the production companies."BBC Wales has already reported on allegations of "bullying" within S4C.A former employee, who wanted to remain anonymous until the investigation into those allegations is published, said that "this is all too familiar".No date has been set for the publication of the report into allegations of bullying. The investigation began at the beginning of May.BBC Wales has contacted Ms Griffin-Williams and Mike Phillips to ask for their response.
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