BAFTA apologises over racial slur at film awards
BAFTA has admitted there were “structural weaknesses” in its planning for the 2026 film awards where racial slurs were broadcast.
Disability advocate John Davidson, who has Tourette’s, was heard shouting as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented awards at the British film and TV awards ceremony, which was broadcast on the BBC on a two-hour delay on February 22.
BAFTA’s board said an independent review into the incident found problems with the awards’ “planning, escalation procedures and crisis co-ordination arrangements” but found “no evidence of bad faith by those involved in delivering the event”.
The following statements were made by the BAFTA Board of Directors: “We unreservedly apologize to the Black community for whom the racist language used carries real pain, brutality and trauma, to the disabled community, including people with Tourette’s Syndrome, for whom this incident has caused unfair judgment, stigma and distress, and to all our members, guests at the ceremony and those watching at home.”
“What was supposed to be a moment of celebration has been diminished and overshadowed. We have written to those directly affected by the night to apologize.
“It is clear from the review that this was not a failure of intent, but that BAFTA’s planning and processes failed to keep pace with its diversity and inclusion objectives.
“We did not adequately anticipate or fully prepare for the impact of such an event on the live event environment and, as a result, fell short in our duty of care to everyone at the ceremony and at home viewing.”
The academy said work was ongoing as a priority to address areas for improvement identified in the review carried out by Rise Associates, in order to “reduce the risk of this happening again”.
This followed an investigation which found the BBC had breached its editorial standards by publishing the insult.
An investigation by the BBC’s administrative complaints unit found that the inclusion of the insult was “deeply offensive” and had “no editorial justification”, but added that its publication was unintentional.
The report confirmed that the BBC’s chief content officer had sent letters of apology to Lindo, Jordan and Davidson.
