Speeches and questions

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. Thank you.

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

What would happen if the external taskforce came up with a recommendation that was different to that, and suggested that, rather than broadening, you need to replace? Would you accept that?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

The terms of reference, the process, the length of time—all the questions I've asked. When is all of this going to be fully tied down?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. And just my last question would be: when will we get full details of all of this in writing, all tied down? When can we expect to see that?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. What kind of stakeholders do you think should be involved in this, in giving evidence?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. And the WRU will take part in an open and transparent way.

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. And are there any non-disclosure agreements involved in any of this, or are you happy that everyone involved is willing to take part?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

What about witnesses who wish to give evidence privately? That will be facilitated. And also those witnesses who wish to be on the record, will that also be facilitated?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

And you've expressed to them that 10 or 12 months would be an unacceptable length of time.

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. The longer it goes on, the harder it will be to take action, so can you give us an idea of how long—? Well, how long do you think it should take?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. And how long is it going to take before we see that report?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Will the report be public?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. What outcomes do you expect from this?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay, but they'll be holding formal evidence sessions with witnesses.

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Will they be in public?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

And there's going to be a lot of interest as the panel progresses before we come to the outcome. Will they be able to call witnesses, and will they hold evidence sessions? Is that the idea?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay.

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Three or four people. Okay. So, let's look at the terms of reference. How were they arrived at? Was it something that you suggested to Sport Resolutions, or did Sport Resolutions say to you, 'This is the kind of thing you should be investigating?' How did you…

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

So, can you give us an idea of how big the panel will be?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

And what about the members? How many members will there be of the external panel?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. And you'll be announcing it this afternoon.

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

A London-based arbitration service. And I imagine they've done work with other bodies before.

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

So, Sport Resolution, where is that based? Is that a UK-based arbitration service?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Are they connected with the WRU in any way?

2 February 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Allegations surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union: Evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union

Okay. I'll come to the terms of reference in a second. I noticed Tonia Antoniazzi MP said that she'd like someone outside of Wales to chair, and she's had involvement with the WRU and as a player. Someone outside of Wales to chair it—is that going to happen?