A CIVIL rights group has called on the Commission for Racial Equality to take action after a supermarket manager allegedly told a worker to stop speaking Welsh. The row surfaced last week after claims area manager David Ware told a worker at Bala's Somerfield store: "Stop speaking that silly language in front of the customers." Mr Ware is now on annual leave, and the store, which is carrying out a review, will tomorrow meet town leaders. Yesterday civil rights group Cefn called on the CRE to launch an inquiry. In the past, Cefn has complained to the CRE about anti-Welsh comments made by people such as Anne Robinson, Bernard Levin and Jeremy Clarkson, In the letter, Cefn organiser Eleri Carrog says: "The alleged behaviour of the manager at Somerfield, Bala, is an incident we are totally acquainted with in terms of its significance. "It is also illegal under the Race Equality Act. I would like you to receive the letter as an official complaint and I ask you to investigate the alleged incident." Ms Carrog also calls on the CRE to issue guidelines and information to companies working in Wales so they understand that trying to stop somebody from speaking Welsh is discriminatory and illegal. The letter, due to arrive with the CRE Wales chief executive today, has also been sent to Somerfield. It adds: "Wales and its people deserve the same respect as every other nation and language." Somerfield press officer Pete Williams said: "Somerfield is determined to resolve this situation and to allay the concerns and frustrations of local customers. "We can only apologise to those individuals who have been offended by the alleged comments and confirm our ongoing commitment to the local community and customer service. "The individual concerned is now on annual leave for two weeks. "We are currently concluding our investigations, which have proved to be more complicated than we first thought and senior management will be meeting with the individual on his return." Megan Williams, who witnessed the incident, said she was shocked and offended by the comments. Incensed locals were among 30 people who joined a sit-down protest inside the store over the weekend, organised by Welsh pressure group Cymuned, which called for Mr Ware to be sacked and thrown into Llyn Tegid. Protesters also called on Somerfield to officially adopt Welsh in all its stores throughout Wales. | 
