Labour MP Demands BBC Explanation After 'Unforgivable' Bafta Racial Slur Broadcast
Labour MP Dawn Butler has written to the BBC demanding an urgent explanation after a racial slur was broadcast during the Bafta awards ceremony, despite the programme being aired on a two-hour delay. In her letter, Butler described the incident as "painful and unforgivable", highlighting the distress caused to black actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan who were onstage when the slur was shouted.
Incident Details and Immediate Fallout
The offensive word was uttered by John Davidson, a guest with Tourette syndrome who inspired the film I Swear. Davidson, who was made an MBE in 2019 for his Tourette's campaigning, expressed deep mortification over the incident, stating he left the auditorium early due to awareness of the distress his tics were causing. Host Alan Cumming addressed the situation during the ceremony, noting the words came from someone with "no control over their language" and apologised to viewers who were offended.
Despite the two-hour delay, the slur was not edited out prior to transmission. This contrasts with the editing of comments by British writer Ajinola Davies Jr supporting a free Palestine, which were cut from the broadcast. The BBC has stated that other speeches were also edited to fit the time slot, and producers overseeing the ceremony from a TV truck did not hear the racial slur, though other cases of swearing were removed.
Political and Industry Reactions
Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central in London, emphasised in her letter that the BBC could have prevented the broadcast, given the delay. She wrote: "You could see the physical intake of breath from Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo as they composed themselves to continue, like the professionals they are. That pain was repeated to millions of people, who were forced to witness this on TV." Butler has called for a written explanation regarding why the slur was not addressed before broadcast, who was in the editing room, and why Davies Jr's remarks were deemed unsuitable while the racist slur was initially left in.
In the aftermath, Jonte Richardson, a member of the Bafta emerging talent judging panel, announced his resignation, criticising the organisation's handling of the incident as "utterly unforgivable" and citing repeated failures to safeguard the dignity of black guests and the creative community.
BBC Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
A BBC spokesperson apologised, stating: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer." The corporation has since edited the iPlayer version to remove the slur.
Delroy Lindo later told Vanity Fair that he and Michael B Jordan "did what he had to do" during the incident, expressing a wish that someone from Bafta had spoken to them afterwards. The event has sparked broader discussions about broadcasting standards, editorial decisions, and the representation of minority groups in media, with Butler's demand for accountability highlighting ongoing concerns over racial sensitivity in live and delayed broadcasts.
