Chef wants Welsh spoken at tribunal
A WELSH chef for whom English is a second language told the High Court last week that it would be unfair if a tribunal case in which he is involved were conducted entirely in English.
Gwilym Williams, of Y Maes, Caernarvon, was sacked from his job as chef at the Stables restaurant in Llanwnda two years ago.
"Financial" reasons were given for his dismissal, but Williams claims it was for speaking Welsh in the restaurant.
He successfully contested the sacking before an industrial tribunal at St Asaph, where the panel were all Welsh speakers and Williams was therefore able to speak in Welsh.
But his employers wanted to contest the decision, and the Employment Appeals Tribunal in London said that it could not conduct its proceedings in Welsh, although Williams was to be allowed an interpreter. The Welsh Language Board is assisting in the case.
In the High Court Robin Allen QC, for Williams, said this decision went against the European Code of Human Rights and the Welsh Language Act. The three High Court judges adjourned the case and said they would need time to reach a judgement.
