BBC to conduct fast-track investigation into broadcasting of racial slur from Baftas

. UK edition

Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting a tic at Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the Baftas.
Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting a tic at Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the Baftas. Photograph: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA

Corporation says broadcasting of N-word by Tourette syndrome campaigner was ‘serious mistake’

The BBC is to undertake a fast-track investigation into the broadcasting of a racial slur aired during its coverage of the Bafta film awards, amid rising anger inside the corporation over the error.

Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting the N-word as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday.

Since the incident, the BBC, Bafta and the independent producers involved have been facing severe criticism over the failure. The slur could be heard on the BBC’s iPlayer for 15 hours before the broadcast was removed and edited.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has been reviewing what happened at Bafta on Sunday evening. This was a serious mistake and the director general has instructed the executive complaints unit (ECU) to complete a fast-tracked investigation and provide a full response to complainants.”

More details soon …