Welsh rugby branded institutionally misogynistic amid sexism claims

Ieuan Evans says the WRU will "address the issues we need to address"

The Welsh Rugby Union has been branded institutionally misogynistic amid sexism claims about the organisation.

Equalities minister Jane Hutt made the comments following a BBC probe into a "toxic culture" at the WRU after a male colleague allegedly said he wanted to "rape" an ex-Wales women boss.

Earlier, Plaid Cymru called for WRU chief executive Steve Phillips to quit.

The WRU said it was backing Mr Phillips and would set up a task force to examine the allegations.

Former First Minister Carwyn Jones also said he wanted a Senedd inquiry into the claims.

Speaking in the Senedd on Wednesday, Ms Hutt said the testimonies given in the BBC Wales Investigates programme were "absolutely devastating" and she praised the women for coming forward.

She said: "I was just thinking again of the impact on those women who had the courage to come forward, such courage to take after experiencing the harassment, the bullying, the abuse.

"But I would have to say that what came over was serious, I would say, institutional misogyny and sexism, which obviously imbued the organisation."

Heledd Fychan, Plaid's sports spokeswoman wants to see action taken over the claims.

"The appalling claims of sexism and misogyny that have come to light raise grave questions for the WRU," Ms Fychan said.

"Their abject failure to acknowledge the seriousness of these allegations show that there has been, and continues to be, a leadership vacuum at the Union.

"As a result, the current CEO should resign, and new leadership brought in to bring about the changes that are desperately needed.

"Until the issues are dealt with and there is a change of culture, the Welsh government should consider whether it is appropriate for the WRU to receive any further public money.

"We certainly can't encourage women into an environment where they face this kind of misogyny."

Mr Jones said faith in the WRU was shaken "to its very foundations", and the union had not been open enough.

"What is clear is that this isn't going to go away," he said.

"People want to know what happened. The Senedd has the powers to hold inquiries," he told BBC Wales, "[and] to subpoena witnesses for example that the [Welsh] government doesn't have."

"The reputation of not just the Welsh Rugby Union, but rugby in general in Wales, will continue to be tarnished if people think that the action that's been taken isn't sufficient."

A former sexual violence advisor to the Welsh government has also called for Mr Phillips to step down, while a major Welsh rugby sponsor Principality Building Society, called for "immediate and decisive" action.

"He joked he wanted to rape me," claims Charlotte Wathan

Another long-term WRU partner, Heineken, has also said it is "extremely concerned" by the claims.

A statement added: "We urge the Welsh Rugby Union to act immediately to investigate and eradicate such practices.

"There is no room for discrimination of any kind in sport, and as a company that celebrates diversity, we expect swift and decisive action to be taken."

Mr Jones, who led the Welsh government from 2009 to 2018, has just made an S4C TV series about the history of the game, Rygbi Cymru: Y Gêm yn y Gwaed (Welsh Rugby: In the Blood).

He said as much light as possible must be shed by the WRU on what happened and "what's going to happen now to make sure that this situation does not arise again".

"If that involves a Senedd committee looking at it," he added, "I think that's better for everybody.

"What's clear at the moment, people's faith in the Welsh Rugby Union has been shaken to the very foundations of the union."

Veteran sports journalist Peter Jackson said Mr Phillips's apology for the "culture between 2017 and 2019" does not go far enough.

"What about the culture between 2020 and 2021," he asked. "[The WRU] talk about the highest standards of personal and professional conduct from all staff.

"Did nobody between 2017 and 2019 see fit to say to somebody, what about our core values... it's appalling."

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