A member of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) board is facing criticism for downplaying reports of sexism within the organization, leading to accusations that he is out of touch with reality.
Henry Engelhardt, an independent non-executive director of the WRU, dismissed a BBC investigation into misogyny, sexism, and racism within the governing body as “sensationalism.”
Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, expressed her concern, stating that she questions whether Engelhardt is part of the problem. She emphasized that the investigation accurately portrayed the culture of misogyny and sexism, which was only the tip of the iceberg, as many women were too afraid to come forward.
Antoniazzi called for Engelhardt to engage in a conversation with individuals like herself who hold a different opinion on the matter.
Engelhardt, who joined the WRU board in 2021 and supported an independent review following the BBC’s exposé in January, criticized BBC Wales for allegedly disregarding the WRU’s perspective on the claims of a “toxic culture” within the organization.
The fallout from the investigation resulted in the resignation of WRU chief executive Steve Phillips and the establishment of a taskforce to address the issues raised.
Engelhardt accused BBC Wales Investigates of failing to listen to the WRU’s viewpoint and claimed that he had learned some unflattering things about the BBC during the process.
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While acknowledging that problems may exist within the WRU, Engelhardt contended that the program misrepresented the situation and exaggerated the severity of the allegations.
In response, Antoniazzi expressed disappointment on behalf of the victims and women who have had distressing experiences within the Welsh Rugby Union. She noted that a small number of men within the organization seemed to hold a certain attitude and questioned whether they were briefed or deliberately deflecting criticism.
Based on her participation in the BBC program and conversations with individuals who shared their experiences with the WRU, Antoniazzi expressed bewilderment regarding Engelhardt’s perspective, stating that she is unsure what planet he is on.