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A senior BBC executive has issued an apology to staff following the broadcast of a racial slur during the Bafta Film Awards, acknowledging the “distressing” nature of the incident. The slur, shouted during an appearance by actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, was not edited out of the televised ceremony.
In a memo circulated to staff on Tuesday, Kate Phillips, the corporation’s chief content officer, stated that the slur was “aired in error” and affirmed, “we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast”. She expressed deep regret, saying: “I’m so sorry that a racial slur was not edited out of our broadcast. We understand how distressing this was.”
Ms Phillips confirmed that while another racial slur had been successfully removed by the edit team, this particular instance was a mistake. “We take full responsibility for what happened,” she added, noting that the broadcast was subsequently removed from BBC iPlayer.
The incident occurred on Sunday at London’s Royal Festival Hall when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting as the Hollywood stars presented the award for special visual effects. Film studio Warner Bros is understood to have immediately raised concerns and requested the slur’s removal from the BBC broadcast.
Mr Davidson later stated on Monday night that he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning”. He was attending the Baftas to represent his film, I Swear, which chronicles his life with Tourette syndrome.
The BBC’s handling of the incident has drawn sharp criticism. Labour MP Dawn Butler accused the broadcaster of “an obvious bias” and a “failure of duty of care”, describing the broadcast as “painful and unforgivable”. She has written to outgoing director-general Tim Davie seeking an explanation.
Further fallout saw filmmaker Jonte Richardson announce his resignation as a Bafta judge. In a statement on LinkedIn, Mr Richardson said he felt “compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel”, adding: “The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.” He urged Bafta leadership to “comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused.”
Bafta itself issued an apology on Monday night, taking “full responsibility” for placing its guests in a “difficult situation”. The academy apologised “unreservedly” to Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, and “to all those impacted,” thanking the actors for their “incredible dignity and professionalism.”
A BBC spokesperson also apologised for not editing the remark out prior to broadcast, explaining that the “strong and offensive language” arose from “involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional”. The spokesperson confirmed the content would be removed from iPlayer.
