Trade unionists and language activists are calling on the BBC and S4C bosses to withdraw from talks with the UK Department of Culture Media and Sport regarding the future of the Welsh language broadcaster.Campaigners are concerned that behind the scene talks are taking place before the Public Bodies Bill - which permits over 40% cuts to the channel's budget, governance changes and its abolition - is scrutinised in Westminster .In a statement, trade union BECTU says: "Discussions between the the BBC and S4C are inappropriate before discussions and decisions by Lords and MP's in Westminster. Four Lords have proposed removing S4C from the Public Bodies Bill and the Welsh Affairs Select Committee inquiry is still considering these issues. For talks between the BBC and s4c to proceed before elected representatives have taken decisions undermines the democratic process."David Donovan of BECTU added:"All who believe in democratic accountability must be appalled that the BBC and s4c consider themselves to be above the democratic processes by their unseemly haste to reach an agreement. We ask Sir Michael Lyons, Chair of the BBC Trust to recognise that any decisions made must have the support of elected representatives as well as the people of Wales. We hope that he is sufficiently concerned about our democracy, particularly following the tainting of the whole proposals by his 'midnight deal 'with the secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, to withdraw pending proper scrutiny of the Public Bodies Bill by MP's and the House of Lords. To continue, devalues the worth of our democracy and the Trust's interest in the views of the people of Wales"Bethan Williams, Chair of Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg added:"The way the BBC is willing to be at the beck and call of this anti-Welsh language Government does raise questions about the broadcaster's impartiality. The UK Government with its partners in the BBC in London are threatening the future of the only Welsh language channel in the world. As the only Welsh channel is gobbled up by the BBC, the fate of the language will be in the hands of a broadcaster in London which has to make severe cuts itself.""The BBC has been very misleading by claiming that they are saving S4C by taking over the channel. The truth is that these plans are a complete last minute stitch-up, between Jeremy Hunt and BBC bosses in London. The future of the Welsh language is not a priority for them."