Bafta has issued an unreserved apology following an independent review into the events surrounding John Davidson's involuntary outburst at this year's ceremony. The review, commissioned by the Bafta board, identified 'a number of structural weaknesses in Bafta’s planning, escalation procedures and crisis coordination arrangements'.
Davidson, an executive producer on the Bafta-winning film 'I Swear', involuntarily shouted a racial slur while actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. The incident, caused by his Tourette syndrome, dominated headlines for weeks.
The review found that 'the organisation did not fully appreciate the nature of the risk associated with a live broadcast appearance, early warning signs were not escalated, and the absence of a clear operational command structure limited Bafta’s ability to respond effectively once the incident occurred'. However, it did not find evidence of malicious intent.
Bafta's board stated: 'We apologise unreservedly to the Black community, for whom the racist language used carries real pain, brutality, and trauma; to the disability community, including people with Tourette syndrome, for whom this incident has led to unfair judgement, stigma, and distress; and to all our members, guests at the ceremony and those watching at home.'
The review's findings came days after the BBC ruled that airing the slur, despite a two-hour tape delay, breached editorial standards. The BBC's executive complaints unit described the inclusion of the N-word as 'highly offensive' and lacking editorial justification.
Bafta said work is already underway to address the recommended improvements, including better escalation processes, planning for access and inclusion, and addressing internal cultural gaps to meet diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.
