Bafta judge quits over “utterly unforgivable” handling of racial slur incident
Filmmaker and Bafta jury member Jonte Richardson has resigned from the Bafta’s emerging talent judging panel due to the organisation’s “utterly unforgivable” handling of the recent racial slur incident at the ceremony.
On February 22nd, Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the first award of the night when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson involuntarily shouted the N-word towards the stage.
Following the incident, Davidson then removed himself from the ceremony, and has since issued a statement attesting that he is “utterly mortified.”
Lindo has also spoken, admitting that he wished somebody from Bafta “spoke to us” after the unfortunate situation occurred.
Despite host Alan Cumming twice acknowledging the remark and apologising to those in attendance, the BBC left the incident in their edited stream. They later took the video down to re-edit and re-upload the footage.
In a statement on LinkedIn, Richardson said: “After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel. The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.”
He went on, “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.”
The statement added, “When an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.”
The filmmaker added that he hopes “Bafta leadership comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.”
Bafta have also issued its own statement, in which it said that it took “full responsibility” for putting its “guests in a very difficult situation, and we apologise to all.”
The statement also wished to “apologise unreservedly” to Jordan and Lindo, adding, “We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
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