Steve Phillips has announced he has resigned as Welsh Rugby Union chief executive with immediate effect.
He will be temporarily replaced in the role by former Wales winger and current WRU Head of Performance Nigel Walker, who takes over as acting CEO while the hunt for a permanent appointment is conducted.
Phillips and the WRU made the announcement early on Sunday morning at the end of a traumatic week following a groundswell of outrage over 'toxic' allegations directed at the union in a damning BBC documentary on Monday.
WRU chairman Ieuan Evans had initially backed Phillips to remain and help clean up the Welsh game following the claims made by former employees in the documentary. However, Phillips has reached the conclusion that he is no longer the person to lead Welsh rugby.
“It is with a huge amount of regret that I have decided to hand in my resignation,” said Phillips in a WRU statement.
“I have always had the best interests of Welsh rugby at the heart of my every action and thought, but have come to the conclusion that it is now time for someone else to lead the way.
“This is a sport I love and is so admired around the world and I wish everyone involved in the game every success and my heartfelt best wishes.
“I am absolutely aligned with Ieuan’s commitment to re-examine and further improve the cultures and behaviours at the WRU and fully support the formation of a new independent Taskforce. I am pleased I have been able to start this process for the WRU
“On a personal note, I wish Nigel Walker well and thank the dedicated staff at the WRU who can be extremely proud of the efforts and hard work they put in on a daily basis to the betterment of our game.
“I am on record already saying how much I hugely regret the feelings and emotions expressed recently by former members of staff.”
WRU chairman Evans recently met the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden to discuss setting up the new independent Taskforce charged with investigating culture and behaviours within the WRU.
He confirmed Sport Wales will advise on the process to appoint a Chair to oversee the investigation, set its scope and parameters and recruit key personnel to its panel.
“I thank Steve for his dedication and support for Welsh rugby,” said Evans.
“Steve has spent a large part of his professional career at the WRU, first as Finance Director and more recently as our CEO. He has made a significant contribution to our progress on the world stage in that time and most recently was instrumental in securing the return of Warren Gatland.
“He also brought in Nigel Walker as our Head of Performance, as one of his first acts as CEO, which has led to the introduction of professional contracts for the Wales Women’s squad and significant progression in the provision for the professional and amateur Women’s and Girls’ game.
“He successfully guided Welsh rugby through the coronavirus pandemic and has secured a new six-year verbal agreement with the Professional Rugby Board and a signed ‘heads of terms’ designed to ensure a sustainable future for our professional game."
Evans continued: “We are delighted to be able to call on an individual, a businessman, and former elite sportsman, of Nigel’s calibre to come in as acting CEO.
“Nigel will work closely with the new Taskforce and help lead us through the next urgent steps."
Walker is a former Olympic athlete, Wales and Cardiff wing and National Director at the English Institute of Sport. He has also held down a string of high-profile posts in Welsh sport since retiring from the game in the 1990s.
He also served as a UK Sport Board member from 2006-10
He represented Great Britain as a high hurdler before switching to rugby, earning 17 international caps for Wales and was awarded an OBE in 2019
The WRU statement went on to say: "No allegations were made against Steve Phillips in the recent BBC programme and he was not accused of any wrong doing."
However, attempts to remain in power have proved futile amid the swirling anger and demand for change that made Phillips' position untenable.
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