A senior BBC executive has issued an apology to staff following the broadcast of an unedited racial slur during the recent Bafta Film Awards ceremony. The incident, which occurred during the live event at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, has prompted widespread concern and criticism.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, acknowledged the distress caused by the error. In a memo circulated to staff, she stated that the slur was “aired in error” and affirmed that the corporation “would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast.” Phillips 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.”
The racial slur was shouted by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson as Hollywood stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award for special visual effects. Following the incident, Mr Davidson conveyed his mortification, stating he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.” Attendees at the awards were reportedly pre-warned about the possibility of involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette Syndrome at the outset of the show, and Scottish actor Alan Cumming addressed the condition during the broadcast. However, Phillips noted that this context does not diminish the impact or upset caused by the broadcast.
Concerns about the slur were reportedly raised immediately by film studio Warner Bros, the company behind the film ‘Sinners’. It is understood that representatives from Warner Bros spoke directly with Bafta staff during the ceremony and requested the slur’s removal from the broadcast, which was scheduled to air on the BBC later that evening. Warner Bros representatives were reportedly reassured that this request would be actioned.
Phillips confirmed that the editing team had successfully removed another racial slur from the broadcast. However, the one that aired was missed. She took full responsibility for the oversight, explaining: “When I was made aware it was audible on iPlayer, I asked for it to be taken down.” The BBC had previously released a public statement apologising for the remark not being edited out prior to broadcast.
The incident has also drawn sharp criticism from political figures. Labour MP Dawn Butler, representing Brent Central, accused the BBC of “an obvious bias” and a “failure of duty of care.” Ms Butler described the broadcast of the slur as “painful and unforgivable” and insisted it “should never have been aired.” She has formally written to the outgoing director-general, Tim Davie, seeking a full explanation for why the slur remained in the broadcast.
The BBC’s internal communication also highlighted outreach to its Embrace network colleagues, with Phillips expressing gratitude for their thoughtful responses. She encouraged staff to reach out to her or any member of the Executive Committee team for further discussion on the matter, reiterating her apology for the distress caused. Such incidents underscore the constant scrutiny faced by major broadcasters, a topic often discussed in Scotland alongside social welfare initiatives or even community appeals for support.
The Bafta Film Awards are a significant event in the global film calendar, and their broadcast on the BBC reaches a vast audience across the United Kingdom, including Scotland. The corporation continues to address the fallout from the broadcast error.
