Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson will attend the BAFTA Scotland Awards but watch the ceremony from a separate “relaxed” space.
John Davidson will attend the BAFTA Scotland Awards but watch the ceremony from a separate “relaxed” space.
The Tourette’s campaigner, whose life inspired the film I Swear, was in attendance at the BAFTA Film Awards – which are more informally known as the BAFTAs – in February when an involuntary tic saw him shout a racial slur as Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting a prize on stage, prompting a review from the organisation.
And now, according to The Guardian, a letter has been sent to BAFTA members from chair Sara Putt and CEO Jane Millichip, which advised that following an independent review, the organisation has “strengthened and centralised our safeguarding, risk assessment and compliance processes” and made arrangements in consultation with “safeguarding and inclusion experts” for John’s attendance at next month’s awards ceremony, which is organised by BAFTA’s Scottish branch.
In accordance with John’s own suggestion, the I Swear executive producer will “watch the ceremony via video link from a separate relaxed space within the venue with his family and friends”.
I Swear is the leading contender at the awards, with seven nominations, including all three in the Actor – Film category, for Peter Mullan, Robert Aramayo – who won the same prize at the BAFTAs – and Scott Ellis Watson, and Actress – Film for Shirley Henderson. It also received a previously announced Audience Award nomination for Peter Mullan.
Following the controversial incident, John released a statement saying he is “deeply mortified”, while he has given an interview questioning part of the production on the night.
He told Variety: “StudioCanal were working closely with BAFTA, and BAFTA had made us all aware that any swearing would be edited out of the broadcast.
“I have made four documentaries with the BBC in the past, and feel that they should have been aware of what to expect from Tourette’s and worked harder to prevent anything that I said – which, after all, was some 40 rows back from the stage – from being included in the broadcast.
“As I reflect on the auditorium, I remember there was a microphone just in front of me, and with hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated, knowing I would tic.”
BAFTA also issued an apology.
They said: “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.
“Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room.
“Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted.
“We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.
“During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.”
John Davidson to watch BAFTA Scotland Awards from ‘relaxed space’
