Bafta have begun “comprehensive review” after racial slur incident
Bafta has kicked off a “comprehensive review” after a racial slur was shouted at Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo while they were presenting the first award of the night.
During the ceremony on February 22nd, John Davidson, the inspiration for the on-the-night-winner movie I Swear, shouted the N-word when Jordan and Lindo were on stage.
The BBC have since been criticised for leaving the slur in the edited and uploaded stream of the ceremony on iPlayer; they later took it down to re-edit the footage.
The BBC has since explained that it “arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome” and apologised for not editing it out of the broadcast.
Additionally, a new email to staff shows BBC chief Kate Phillips explaining that the BBC have taken “full responsibility for what happened.”
As per Deadline, Bafta has now shared a note with members, which posits clearly: “We want to assure all our members that a comprehensive review is underway.”
The note concedes that the show contained “highly offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many was heard.”
It explained, “One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette’s Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of the condition.” It explained that he had “no control over” the involuntary verbal tic, which is “no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional.”
Explaining the steps taken in precaution for a situation like this, Bafta explained, “We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously […] We made those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear involuntary strong and offensive language, noises or movements during the ceremony.”
The letter went on to apologise “unreservedly” and thank “Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism – and regret they were put in this position in the first place.”
Notably, Lindo spoke out after the incident, admitting that he wished somebody from Bafta “spoke to us” after the unfortunate situation occurred.
After explaining that Davidson chose to leave the auditorium and watch the ceremony from a screen after the incident happened, the statement explained: “We are in contact with the studios involved and conversations are ongoing.”
Bafta then invited any questions or concerns to be sent to their email, stressing once more how “complex” the situation is, and how “seriously we are taking this.”
Bafta have already faced backlash for their handling of the matter; filmmaker and Bafta jury member Jonte Richardson resigned from the Bafta’s emerging talent judging panel due to the organisation’s “utterly unforgivable” handling of incdent.
Richardson’s statement of removal read, in part, “I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy, and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.”
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.