A BAFTA judge quit after an audience member shouted a racial slur while “Sinners” costars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award.
The incident happened at the British Academy Film Awards in London, England on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The Academy was heavily criticized in Europe and in the U.S. for not editing the racial slur from the final broadcast of the awards show that had a 2-hour delay.
That person is a racist. Prince Harry had to flee that country with his wife and child, because Meghan is biracial. Two man were jailed for threatening Harry, Meghan and their son.
The royal family let the UK media racially abused Meghan. Tourette Syndrome or not this is racism. pic.twitter.com/XDmI1TzJ9C
— Carmella (@Sussex5525) February 22, 2026
According to the Daily Star, BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson announced he is resigning due to the academy’s “utterly unforgivable” handling of the situation.
Filmmaker Richardson was a juror on the organization’s emerging talent judging panel.
In a statement on LinkedIn, Richardson wrote:
“After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel. The organization’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.”
He added, “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.”
BAFTA has a “long history of systemic racism.”
Richardson continued: “When an organization like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behavior.”
John Davidson, who is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, was the inspiration for a character in the movie “I Swear”. Davidson, who was in the audience, blurted out the racial slur, but he claims his utterance was involuntary.
Davidson also reportedly shouted “shut the f— up” and “f–k you” to two women at the event.
“I Swear” stars Robert Aramayo as a character diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.
The movie won a BAFTA award on Sunday.
Tourette syndrome, or Tourette’s, is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary verbal outbursts and tics (involuntary movements).
BAFTA host Alan Cumming apologized for Davidson’s outbursts.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience,” Cumming said. “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Cumming added: “If you have seen the film ‘I Swear,’ you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you were offended.”
But critics said BAFTA should have edited the offensive language from the final broadcast. Others accused the Academy of setting up the Black actors to promote the movie.
