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

An independent evaluation concluded that Bafta failed to uphold its duty of care during the awards event in February, though no deliberate intent was found, the review stated. The incident occurred when John Davidson, a Tourette’s advocate, involuntarily uttered the n-word while two Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, were on stage.

Bafta’s response to the controversy

In a statement, Bafta acknowledged its “inadequate anticipation and insufficient preparation” for the impact of such an occurrence in a live setting. “This led to our duty of care to all attendees and remote viewers being compromised,” the organization noted, adding that it had sent personal apologies to those affected.

The BBC’s prior investigation

The report emerged following the BBC’s own examination of the incident, which was released earlier this week. The corporation’s complaints unit determined the broadcast violated its editorial guidelines and should not have aired, though it was not intentional.

Review highlights systemic gaps

The independent analysis, conducted by Rise Associates, pointed out several structural deficiencies in Bafta’s planning processes, escalation protocols, and crisis management. However, it emphasized that there was no evidence of malicious intent from those involved. “We fully endorse the review’s conclusions,” Bafta stated, noting its planning systems had not aligned with its diversity objectives.

Context of the incident

The review explained that the event involved a “complex interplay of disability, live broadcast risks, and the use of language rooted in painful historical significance.” It also underscored a wider issue: the challenge of reconciling participant accessibility with the comfort and respect of others in the audience.

Clarifying intent and impact

“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,” Davidson said in an interview with Variety.

“Tourette’s can feel spiteful and seeks out the most upsetting tic for me personally and for those around me,” he added. “What you hear me shouting is literally the last thing in the world I believe; it is the opposite of what I believe.”

Reactions from the actors

After the ceremony, Delroy Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Michael B. Jordan, who were presenting an award, “did what we had to do” as they continued their work post-incident. Lindo also expressed a wish that “someone from Bafta had spoken to us afterward.”

Lessons for future events

Bafta confirmed it was working on implementing the recommendations from the review to enhance its processes and lower the risk of recurrence. The organization stressed that while the event was “trauma-triggering,” it did not constitute institutional racism, as the findings “miss an important point.”