 SUPERMARKET bosses launched an inquiry last night amid claims a worker was told to stop speaking Welsh. The woman who works at the Somerfield store, in Bala, was allegedly pulled up by an area manager. He reportedly said: "Stop speaking that silly language in front of the customers. There are people who don't understand." Walls next to the shop have since been daubed with slogans such as Cymraeg Rwan (Welsh Now) and Deddf Iaith Rwan (Language Act Now). The company last night moved to deny rumours Welsh was banned in the store. But spokesman Pete Williams refused to confirm whether or not the comments were made by area manager David Ware. Gwynedd councillor Elwyn Edwards said local people were up in arms about the alleged comments. He said: "It's a disgrace that this has happened when she's speaking her own language in her own country." Bala shopkeeper Gwyn Siôn Ifan will be joining Mr Edwards in a meeting with company bosses next Thursday. Mr Ifan, who will be representing Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society), said: "The comments are insulting and disrespectful to the Welsh language." Duty manager at the Bala store Sam Jones said: "I believe it was a bad joke taken out of context. "The staff aren't discouraged from speaking Welsh. There's no ill feeling." | 
