Film-maker Jonte Richardson has said he is stepping down as a BAFTA judge over the academy's handling of the airing of a racial slur during the film awards, as it emerged Warner Bros raised concerns on the night and asked for the moment to be removed from the BBC broadcast.
Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting during a presentation by Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.
Davidson has said he is "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning", but questions have been raised about how the incident was handled and why it remained in the BBC broadcast later that night.
The Press Association understands Warner Bros, the studio behind Sinners, raised immediate concerns with BAFTA staff after the incident and requested that it be removed from the broadcast.
It is understood studio representatives were reassured the request would be passed on, and that BAFTA remained in contact with Warner Bros throughout the evening.
Warner Bros, the BBC, production company Penny Lane and BAFTA have been contacted for comment.
UK Labour MP Dawn Butler has also criticised the handling of the incident, accusing the BBC of "an obvious bias" and a "failure of duty of care".
She said the slur "should never have been aired" and she has written to outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie seeking an explanation as to why it was left in.
Meanwhile, Richardson said he would no longer serve on BAFTA's emerging talent judging panel.
In a statement on LinkedIn, he said: "After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the BAFTA emerging talent judging panel.
"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."
He added that BAFTA and the BBC should take steps to ensure production staff are "inclusive enough" to prevent a similar incident in future.
During the broadcast, ceremony host Alan Cumming apologised for language viewers may have heard.
In a statement released on Monday night, BAFTA apologised for the incident and said it takes "full responsibility" for putting its guests in a "difficult situation".
BAFTA also apologised "unreservedly" to Jordan and Lindo, and "to all those impacted", adding: "We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism."
The statement continued: "We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all.
"We will learn from this and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy."
The BBC also apologised for not editing the slur out of the broadcast.
A 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."
Richardson later said BAFTA's statement was stronger than the BBC’s response, but argued it came too late and followed backlash.
In a statement, Davidson said he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was "aware of the distress my tics were causing".
According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements and, in rare cases, can involve offensive language that cannot be controlled. There is no cure, but treatment can help to manage tics.
Davidson attended the BAFTAs in connection with I Swear, which tells the story of his life with Tourette syndrome, which he developed when he was 12.
The film stars Robert Aramayo, who won Best Actor for his performance. I Swear also won Best Casting, while Aramayo was also named EE Rising Star.
Source: Press Association
