Topics: Baftas, TV And Film, Entertainment, Celebrity, BBC, UK News, News
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has issued an apology to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo after a guest with Tourette's syndrome, John Davidson, shouted a racial slur whilst they were on stage on Sunday night (22 February).
Ahead of the awards evening, the film I Swear, which draws on the life of Tourette’s campaigner Davidson, picked up five nominations, including Outstanding British Film and acting recognition for Robert Aramayo, who won Best Actor.
The NHS explains that Tourette's is a condition that causes you to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements (tics). There is no cure, but treatment can help manage the tics.
The first prize of the evening, Best Special Visual Effects, was presented by Sinners actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
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While introducing the category, John had a tic and shouted the N-word from the audience, with the moment appearing in the BBC’s broadcast, which aired with a delay of roughly two hours.
The BBC subsequently came under fire after editing out a section of its coverage in which prize-winning filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr said, 'Free Palestine', while the racial slur remained audible in the same programme.
The broadcaster later issued an apology 'for any offence caused by the language heard'.
Bosses also apologised that the racial slur 'was not edited out prior to broadcast' and promised it would 'now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer'.
BAFTA has since issued a statement in an official press release yesterday (23 February).
It reads: "At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.
"One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the BAFTA nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience."
The statement continued: "We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make 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 strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.
"Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted."
BAFTA then thanked Jordan and Lindo 'for their incredible dignity and professionalism'.
"During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him," the statement went on before concluding: "We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all.
"We will learn from this and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy."
Davidson has also spoken out in a statement shared with Variety.
According to the publication, he said: "I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.
"I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me."
He added: "In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning."
Davidson explained that I Swear, 'more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome'.
"I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness, and understanding from others, and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing," the campaigner concluded.
