A former referee at the WRU has claimed homophobic language was used about former referee Nigel Owens and went unchallenged in the office. Owens, 51, came out in 2007 and retired from refereeing Test matches in 2020.
Martyn Lewis, a referee who oversaw Welsh Premiership games and assisted at regional fixtures until 2016, told the BBC that certain individuals within the WRU had too much control and described hearing homophobic language from a colleague repeatedly referring to Owens as "the gay boy". "When that's everyday speech in the office environment around the union – and this isn't something that was just said on the odd occasion, this is said in front of everybody in the business," said Mr Lewis. "And to have not been brought to task on that really shows the culture of people not being stood up to. And frankly those in senior positions should have sort of cut that out anyway."
Mr Lewis also claimed to the BBC he tried to confront the person who had made the alleged comment but the complaint was never tackled at a more senior level. He also claimed the recent allegations of sexism and misogyny did not surprise him as the WRU was "run like a bunch of amateurs". He added: "I would question anybody that's been part of the part of the union to act surprised and if they were genuinely surprised they didn't walk around with their eyes open."
Mr Lewis claimed he made an official complaint to the WRU in 2016 after having his licence taken away. He said he believed that happened because he spoke out against a more senior colleague. His licence was reinstated when a law firm got involved, with Mr Lewis believing that the complaint hadn't been investigated properly.
"It's very much a society of covering up and that's really the frustration," he claimed. Mr Lewis added that he had already been in touch with the independent review panel set up to interrogate the WRU's culture and behaviours and has urged others to get involved. The independent panel, led by former Court of Appeal judge Dame Anne Rafferty, began its work on Monday, February 13, with the composition of the review panel set to be announced soon by Sport Resolutions.
It follows a tumultuous number of weeks of serious allegations of sexism, racism, and misogyny at the WRU, which resulted in the resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips. Performance director Nigel Walker has since assumed that role. The WRU has previously encouraged all individuals who wish to contribute to engage with the review panel directly through a dedicated email address of wru@sportresolutions.com.
Another former employee of the WRU also told the BBC of allegations of sexism and said she had been left "broken" by her time at the union.
Responding to the latest allegations Mr Walker apologised for the actions, attitudes and behaviours described. Mr Walker said: "It is extremely harrowing to hear of the experiences these individuals have endured. The behaviour described has no place in society, at the Welsh Rugby Union, nor in Welsh rugby.
"We wholeheartedly condemn these attitudes and behaviours. We work hard on equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the WRU but we also know that we have let individuals down in the past and also in very recent history.
"That is why we have determined that an independent review is essential. The Rt Hon Dame Anne Rafferty DBE PC has been appointed as chair of the independent review panel and its full terms of reference have been published. We welcome this intervention and look forward to its recommendations and to implementing necessary change.
"Finally it is important for those of us here now at the WRU to sincerely apologise for the actions, attitudes, and behaviours described. Our game has failed the affected individuals and we are deeply sorry.”
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