Bafta Judge Steps Down Amid Outrage Over Racial Slur Incident
A prominent black British film-maker has announced his resignation from a Bafta judging panel, citing the organisation's "utterly unforgivable" handling of a racial slur incident during Sunday's awards ceremony. Jonte Richardson, a respected figure in the industry, made the decision after what he described as considerable soul-searching, highlighting Bafta's failure to safeguard the dignity of its black guests and the broader creative community.
Incident Details and Immediate Fallout
The controversy unfolded when actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were presenting the award for special visual effects at the Baftas. John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner whose life story inspired the film I Swear, shouted the N-word from the audience. While attendees had been briefed beforehand about Davidson's potential for inappropriate language due to his condition, the televised broadcast on the BBC, which aired two hours after the live event, failed to edit out the slur or include the forewarning.
Richardson, in a statement shared on LinkedIn, expressed his inability to continue contributing to Bafta, referencing the organisation's long history of systemic racism. He emphasised that remaining involved would condone behaviour that inflicted harm on both black and disabled communities, despite acknowledging the incredible black talent in this year's cohort, including shows like Just Act Normal.
BBC's Role and Broader Criticism
The BBC faced significant backlash for its failure to remove the offensive word from the telecast. Producers attributed this to technical issues, stating their team was "working from a truck" and "failed to hear" the slur. However, this explanation did little to quell outrage, especially as other edits were made during the broadcast, such as removing a "Free Palestine" call from winner Akinola Davies Jr and censoring profanity from other speakers.
Labour MP Dawn Butler and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch both criticised the BBC, with Butler demanding an urgent explanation and Badenoch labelling it a "horrible mistake." The New Black Film Collective condemned the broadcaster's actions as "a disgrace," noting that uploading an edited version to iPlayer on Monday was inadequate since the clip had already spread widely online.
Apologies and Industry Reactions
Bafta issued a lengthy apology on Monday evening, taking "full responsibility" for the situation and vowing to learn from the incident. The statement apologised unreservedly to Jordan and Lindo, praising their dignity and professionalism. Meanwhile, host Alan Cumming addressed the outbursts during the ceremony, explaining that Tourette syndrome involves involuntary tics, but many, including production designer Hannah Beachler, felt his apology was insufficient and dismissive of the racial harm caused.
Davidson himself expressed deep mortification, clarifying that his tics were unintentional and that he left the auditorium early to avoid further distress. He watched the remainder of the event backstage, where he continued to experience verbal tics.
Ongoing Implications and Calls for Action
The incident has sparked calls for a full review from both Bafta and the BBC to prevent future racial harm. Critics highlighted Bafta's failure to brief presenters individually and its lack of outreach to Lindo and Jordan post-incident. The New Black Film Collective urged meaningful action to protect black artists and audiences, emphasising that black pain should not be treated as conditional.
As the dust settles, the row underscores ongoing challenges in balancing inclusivity with live broadcasting, prompting reflections on how institutions handle sensitive issues involving race and disability.
