BAFTA Jury Member Jonte Richardson Resigns Over 'Utterly Unforgivable' N-Word Incident

Jonte Richardson, a Black writer and producer, has resigned from BAFTA's emerging talent judging panel, describing the organisation's response to a racial slur shouted during Sunday's Film Awards ceremony as 'utterly unforgivable,' according to Variety.

Richardson posted a statement on Facebook on Monday evening, saying he would not contribute his 'time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.'

The incident occurred during the 22 February ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Tourette's syndrome campaigner John Davidson, executive producer on the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the award for best visual effects, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed.

Audience Warned Ahead of Ceremony, BBC Broadcast Uncut

Host Alan Cumming interrupted his monologue several times to remind viewers that Tourette's syndrome is a disability and that Davidson's tics were involuntary. Those in attendance had also been warned before the ceremony began that Davidson would be present and that strong language might be heard.

The BBC, which aired the ceremony on a time-delayed broadcast, did not cut the slur. The corporation later apologised for the broadcast.

Warner Bros., the studio behind Sinners, raised immediate concerns with BAFTA on the night of the ceremony and asked for the slur to be removed from the broadcast. The studio was given assurances that the message would be passed to the BBC and producer Penny Lane TV.

A meeting between BAFTA and Warner Bros. executives took place on Monday.

Davidson, whose life story inspired I Swear - for which Robert Aramayo won the best actor BAFTA - later said he was 'deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.' He chose to leave the auditorium during the ceremony and watched the remainder from a screen elsewhere in the venue.

BAFTA Apologises to Jordan and Lindo

On Monday, BAFTA issued a statement saying it took 'full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation' and apologised 'unreservedly' to Jordan and Lindo. 'We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism,' the organisation said. BAFTA added that it had 'started from a position of inclusion' and taken measures to make those in attendance aware of Davidson's condition.

In his statement, Richardson said the incident was 'particularly unfortunate' given the level of Black talent in this year's judging cohort, describing Just Act Normal as one of his 'favourite shows of 2025.'

'When an organisation 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 behaviour,' Richardson wrote.

He added that he hoped BAFTA leadership would 'take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.'

BAFTA has not publicly commented on Richardson's resignation.