An internal dispute within Labour has emerged regarding the handling of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) sexism scandal, prompting Tonia Antoniazzi, a fellow Labour MP, to call for the

resignation of Dawn Bowden, the party's sports minister.

Antoniazzi accused Bowden of attempting to manipulate facts in a BBC interview while defending her actions concerning the issue. Bowden claimed she lacked specific details of complaints, but Antoniazzi contended that she had provided information about affected women to Bowden.

The Welsh government has been approached for comment but has yet to respond.

Earlier this year, the WRU issued an apology following revelations of unaddressed sexism and racism within the organization, highlighted in a BBC Wales documentary. The report included distressing accounts, such as a former Welsh women's rugby leader contemplating suicide due to the toxic organizational culture.

Antoniazzi, Labour's Gower MP, expressed frustration on her website, stating that she had shared contact details of affected women with Bowden before the documentary's airing. She asserted that Bowden had failed to reach out to these women and urged her to retract recent remarks and apologize to the ignored women while contemplating her position.

Bowden, the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport, and Tourism and Member of the Senedd for Merthyr Tydfil, defended her delayed intervention, stating that she needed more substantial details before acting. She emphasized her willingness to receive confidential information but noted a lack of forthcoming specifics.

Antoniazzi described the situation as distressing and disheartening, highlighting her efforts to bring about change for the affected women in a tactful manner.

The conflicting narratives continue between the MPs, with Bowden defending her actions, mentioning the limited control she had over the WRU's independent operations. She asserted that despite her influence, she couldn't dictate their policies, procedures, or personnel.

Antoniazzi reiterated her efforts to address sexism and misogyny within the WRU and expressed frustration at what she perceived as Bowden's indifference to the severity of the allegations.

As the controversy unfolds, it underscores the internal strife within the Labour Party, shedding light on the handling of significant societal issues and the measures taken to address them. Photo by Chris McAndrew, Wikimedia commons.