Bafta fell short in duty of care when racial slur was shouted, review finds
Bafta fell short in duty of care when racial slur was shouted, review finds
In February, during the film awards ceremony, Bafta’s duty of care to attendees, participants, and viewers was compromised when a racial slur was involuntarily uttered. An independent review has concluded that while the incident was unintentional, the organization’s preparedness for such occurrences in live settings was insufficient.
The slur was shouted by John Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner, as he was on stage with actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo. In a statement, Bafta acknowledged its failure to “adequately foresee or fully prepare for the impact of such an incident in a live event environment,” which led to a diminished experience for those present and watching remotely. The organization also noted it had reached out to those affected to offer direct apologies.
The review, conducted by Rise Associates, highlighted “structural weaknesses in Bafta’s planning, escalation procedures, and crisis coordination arrangements.” However, it emphasized there was no evidence of malicious intent from those involved. “The available evidence does not support the conclusion of institutional racism here,” the report stated, pointing out that the system’s shortcomings were more about alignment with diversity goals than intentional discrimination.
BBC’s investigation confirms no intentional malice
Bafta’s findings follow the BBC’s own investigation into the incident, which was published earlier this week. The corporation’s complaints unit found the broadcast violated its editorial standards but stressed the error was not deliberate. “What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was overshadowed,” Bafta said, acknowledging the event’s impact.
The review described the situation as a “complex intersection of disability, live broadcast risk, and the historical weight of language.” It also called attention to the broader challenge of balancing accessibility for participants with the safety and dignity of others. “It would be wrong to describe the event as evidence of institutional racism,” the report added, explaining that such a label overlooks the role of systemic gaps in planning.
“I want to be really clear that the intent behind them [the tics] is zero. What you’re hearing is a symptom—not my character, not my thought, not my belief,” said John Davidson in an interview with Variety.
Davidson further explained that Tourette’s syndrome can trigger “spiteful” reactions, selecting the most upsetting words for him and others. “The most offensive word I ticked at the ceremony is one I would never use and would completely condemn if I had the choice,” he added.
Michael B Jordan, who was on stage during the incident, shared his perspective with Vanity Fair. He stated that while he and Delroy Lindo “did what we had to do” by continuing the award presentation, they wished someone from Bafta had approached them afterward for support. Alan Cumming, the ceremony host, had already apologized for the “trauma-triggering” event.
Bafta confirmed it is addressing the recommendations from the review to enhance future risk management. The organization reiterated that its planning and processes had “not kept pace” with its diversity and inclusion objectives, aiming to prevent similar situations. The incident remains a pivotal moment for reflection on accessibility and language in live events.
