BAFTA Judge Steps Down Following Controversial Racial Slur Incident at Film Awards
A prominent BAFTA judge has resigned from his position on the organization's emerging talent judging panel in the wake of a highly controversial incident involving a racial slur during the recent BAFTA Film Awards ceremony. The resignation comes after what the judge described as the 'utterly unforgivable' handling of the situation by BAFTA leadership.
The Incident at Royal Festival Hall
During the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony held on Sunday, February 22, at London's Royal Festival Hall, an attendee with Tourette's syndrome was heard shouting the N-word during a live presentation. The incident occurred as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting the award for special visual effects to the winners.
The individual, identified as John Davidson, later voluntarily left the auditorium and issued a personal apology for the outburst, which he emphasized was an involuntary tic associated with his neurological condition. The BBC, which broadcast the awards ceremony on a delayed basis, also issued an apology for failing to edit the racial slur from the televised version of the event.
Judge's Resignation and Statement
BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson announced his resignation from the emerging talent judging panel through a detailed statement posted on his LinkedIn profile. In his message, Richardson expressed that after considerable reflection, he felt compelled to withdraw from his role with the prestigious film organization.
'The organization's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable,' Richardson wrote. 'I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organization that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.'
Richardson further criticized BAFTA for what he described as a failure to acknowledge the harm caused to both Black and disabled communities and for not offering an appropriate apology. He noted the particular irony of the situation given that this year's emerging talent cohort includes significant Black creative talent, specifically mentioning the show 'Just Act Normal' as one of his favorites of 2025.
Broader Implications and Responses
The resigning judge called on BAFTA leadership to comprehend the damage caused by the incident and to take necessary steps to ensure their production staff are sufficiently inclusive to prevent similar issues in the future. Richardson referenced what he characterized as BAFTA's 'long history of systemic racism' as context for his decision to step down.
Following the judge's resignation, John Davidson released his own statement expressing deep mortification that anyone might interpret his involuntary tics as intentional or meaningful. The campaigner confirmed he chose to leave the auditorium early because he was aware of the distress his tics were causing to others present.
Davidson thanked BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards for their support and understanding, noting that an announcement had been made to the auditorium before the recording warning attendees that his tics were involuntary and did not reflect his personal beliefs. He expressed appreciation for the round of applause that followed this announcement and said he felt welcomed in an environment that would normally be challenging for someone with his condition.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about disability accommodations, racial sensitivity, and institutional responsibility within the entertainment industry and awards organizations.
