Thomas Cook Welsh Rule 'Unlawful'

Travel agent Thomas Cook's request for Welsh speakers to discuss work in English "probably" breaks the law, says the Commission for Racial Equality.

Its staff in Bangor, Gwynedd, were told that all work-related discussions with colleagues must be in English.

Thomas Cook said its staff had not been banned from speaking Welsh, or any other language, privately.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society) said it highlighted the need for a new Welsh Language Act.

It has emerged that staff at the Gwynedd store had been asked to use English only to discuss business matters, such as training and team performance.

In a statement, Thomas Cook said the policy did not apply to personal conversations between staff, nor did it apply to Welsh-speaking customers wishing to be served in Welsh.