Bafta fell short in duty of care when racial slur was shouted, review finds
Bafta’s duty of care deemed insufficient after racial slur incident
An independent assessment has concluded that Bafta’s duty of care to attendees, members, and viewers was inadequate during the February film awards ceremony when a racial slur was involuntarily uttered. The event, hosted by John Davidson—a Tourette’s advocate—resulted in the n-word being shouted while two Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, were on stage. Bafta acknowledged its failure to fully prepare for such an occurrence, stating in a statement that it “did not adequately anticipate or fully prepare for the impact of such an incident in a live event environment.”
Apology and structural critiques
The organization admitted that its “duty of care to everyone at the ceremony and watching at home fell short,” and assured that affected individuals had received direct apologies. The report’s release followed the BBC’s earlier investigation into the incident, which found the broadcast violated editorial standards but lacked intentional malice. Bafta emphasized its commitment to addressing the issue, noting ongoing efforts to improve its planning and risk management systems.
Complex factors in the incident
The independent review by Rise Associates highlighted “structural weaknesses in Bafta’s planning, escalation procedures, and crisis coordination arrangements,” though it concluded there was no evidence of deliberate intent. The report described the situation as a “complex intersection of disability, live broadcast risk, and the use of language with a profound historical context,” stressing the challenge of balancing accessibility for participants with the safety of others. While the event was not evidence of institutional racism, the review noted that “Bafta’s planning and risk governance systems have not kept pace with its diversity goals.”
“What you’re hearing is a symptom—not my character, not my thought, not my belief,” said John Davidson, clarifying that his tics were involuntary and unrelated to his personal views. “The most offensive word I ticked at the ceremony is something I would never use and would fully condemn if I had the chance.”
Reactions from those involved
Delroy Lindo, who received an award during the incident, told Vanity Fair that he and Michael B. Jordan “did what we had to do” after the slur was shouted, but expressed hope that someone from Bafta would address the situation afterward. Davidson, in an interview with Variety, reiterated that his actions were not intentional, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of Tourette’s symptoms. “The available evidence does not support the conclusion of institutional racism,” the review stated, noting that discriminatory outcomes may arise from systems not aligned with diversity objectives.
Commitment to improvement
Bafta pledged to implement changes based on the review’s recommendations, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The organization’s host, Alan Cumming, had previously apologized for the “trauma-triggering” nature of the event. Despite the setback, Bafta maintained that its “apology was unreserved” to the Black community, the disabled community, and all participants and viewers.
