A MOTHER-OF-TWO who quit her job at KFC Bangor after being told not to speak Welsh to customers by a supervisor has joined forces with her local MP to take the matter further.

Ceri Hughes, 27, from Y Felinheli, says she was left feeling “very upset” by the way she was treated during till training on June 28.

Ms Hughes, a history student heading into her second year at Bangor University, says she was told to take every order in English as she was being trained by an English-speaking person.

“I was taken to one side and basically told off by the supervisor just for speaking Welsh,” she said.

"When I told them my reason for leaving the job, they said it was 'invalid'. I just think it’s totally unacceptable and I will now be meeting Hywel Williams MP next week to discuss what step to take next.”

Replying to the language row, a spokesman for KFC said: “At KFC, we all speak the same language - that of our love for Original Recipe chicken.

“We always want our team members to speak the language they and our guests feel comfortable with.”

Ms Hughes, who has two daughters - Lili and Seren, has called KFC’s response”totally silly”.

Hywel Williams MP's has set up a Parliamentary Motion calling on KFC to apologise and adopt a policy enabling Welsh speakers’ right to communicate in their language of choice, has secured support from Labour, the SNP and Conservative Party.

Mr Williams said: “I’m angry that a company such as KFC has established itself in a Welsh-speaking area, yet thinks in 2019 it can not only stop people from speaking the majority language of the local authority but also the official language of Wales.

"This is nothing but a violent denial of a basic human right - to speak your own language, in your own community, in your own country.

"In an area such as Bangor where there is a high number of Welsh speakers, it is highly likely that such a policy would deny staff members the right to converse in their own language.

"I call on KFC to apologise unreservedly. The ability to speak Welsh is a legitimate occupational qualification and is a valuable asset for employees."

On Saturday morning, 25 members of Welsh language group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg protested outside KFC Bangor after hearing of Ms Hughes' story.

Group member Tamsin Davies said: "This is a very serious allegation. And, if true, it’s completely unacceptable; KFC should apologise immediately and adopt a clear policy that staff and customers have an unconditional right to communicate in Welsh. The Welsh Language Measure 2011 makes it illegal for people or organisations to interfere with the freedom of people in Wales to use the Welsh language. We have contacted the Welsh Language Commissioner’s office asking him to open an inquiry into these allegations.

“On the ground, over recent months, we have seen a concerning rise in accusations of employers banning the use of the language. It's important that people complain to the Welsh Language Commissioner directly about them. We have also encouraged the Commissioner and others to do far more to raise awareness of the law and to tackle the prejudice against minorities and the Welsh language which lies behind these terrible incidents and policies.”