Labour MP Dawn Butler has written to the BBC demanding to know why it broadcast a racial slur being inadvertantly shouted by a Tourette syndrome campaigner in its Bafta awards broadcast
A Labour MP has demanded an urgent explanation from the BBC after a racist slur was aired during coverage of the Baftas – despite screening being delayed.
Dawn Butler has written to the corporation, describing it as “painful and unforgivable”. The word was shouted by John Davidson, a guest with Tourette syndrome who inspired the film I Swear, while black actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were onstage.
Despite there being a two-hour delay before it aired, the slur was not removed. In contrast, comments by British writer Ajinola Davies Jr supporting a free Palestine were cut from the broadcast.
Ms Butler, MP for Brent Central in London, 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.
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“The BBC could have prevented this, given that the programme was aired on a two-hour delay. It is disappointing htat this language was not removed prior to transmission, particularly when other content was edited out. Now we need to understand why.
“I understant that the BBC has since edited the iPlayer version to remove the racist slur, I would appreciate a written explanation as to why this was not addressed before the delayed broadcast, who was in the editing room, who made the overall decision and why Mr Davies Jr’s remarks were deemed unsuitable while the racist slur was initially left in.”
Sharing the letter on X, Ms Butler wrote: “The BBC should never have aired the N-word racist slur… It had a two-hour delay! This is painful and unforgiveable.”
Mr Lindo told Vanity Fair after the ceremony that he and Mr Hordan “did what he had to do”. He said he wished someone from Bafta had spoken to them afterwards.
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A BBC spokesperson said: “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.”
Responding to criticism over Mr Davies Jr’s words being cut, the corporation has also said other speeches were also edited so the broadcast fit its time slot. The BBC reports that producers overseeing the ceremony were doing so from a TV truck and did not hear the racial slur. Other cases of swearing were edited out.
Mr Davidson, who was made an MBE in 2019 for his Tourette’s campaigning, said on Monday he was deeply mortified. He said: “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,” he said in a statement.
“I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.” Host Alan Cumming said at the ceremony that the strong and offensive words were from someone who had “no control over their language”.
He added: “We apologise if you were offended.” Jonte Richardson, who was on the Bafta emerging talent judging panel, announced he was stepping down in the aftermath of the incident. He said: “The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.
“I cannot and will not contribute my time energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members and the black creative community.”