BAFTA Scotland to Allow John Davidson to Watch Ceremony Remotely Following N-Word Incident

Seven months after the BAFTA Film Awards were overshadowed by an incident involving a racial slur, the British Academy has announced specific accommodations for the upcoming BAFTA Scotland ceremony. John Davidson, a Tourette’s syndrome campaigner and executive producer of the film “I Swear,” will attend the Nov. 15 event in Glasgow but will watch the broadcast from a separate, relaxed space alongside his family and friends.

The decision follows a letter sent to members by BAFTA chair Sara Putt and CEO Jane Millichip, which detailed the extensive consultations held with organizations such as Tourettes Action and Tourette Scotland, as well as direct discussions with Davidson. The accommodations come as “I Swear” received seven nominations for the Scotland awards, marking the highest number of nods in the ceremony’s history.

Davison’s attendance plan addresses the controversy from the Feb. 22 film ceremony, where he involuntarily shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the first award. An independent review ordered by BAFTA after the incident identified significant structural weaknesses in the academy’s planning, escalation procedures, and crisis coordination. However, the review found no evidence of malicious intent or institutional racism.

In their communication to members, Putt and Millichip emphasized that BAFTA has since strengthened its safeguarding, risk assessment, and compliance processes. They noted the creation of more connected and intersectional approaches to live event planning, simplified communication routes, and enhanced briefings for hosts and presenters. The letter also highlighted efforts to rebuild trust through improved cultural understanding and staff training developed in consultation with experts on race, disability, and inclusion.

“There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach,” the letter stated, adding that adjustments would be tailored to individual requirements. The academy acknowledged that while involuntary vocal tics involving protected characteristics can cause distress, it is their responsibility to mitigate such impact. “We know that no live event can be entirely risk-free,” the executives wrote, pledging to continue testing and reviewing their processes to ensure all guests feel safe and included.”