Labour's Dawn Butler asks BBC for urgent explanation over N-word Bafta broadcast

BBC World

February 24, 2026

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Labour MP Dawn Butler has demanded an urgent explanation from the BBC over the broadcast of a racial slur during the Bafta Film Awards. The incident occurred when John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, used the N-word while on stage with two black actors, Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. Despite the programme being aired with a two-hour delay, the BBC failed to edit out the slur before it was broadcast, leading to widespread criticism. In her letter to the BBC, Butler questioned why the network did not remove the offensive language prior to airing. The BBC issued an apology, stating that the slur was unintentionally missed during editing and has since been removed from BBC iPlayer. However, Butler expressed frustration over the lack of oversight, describing the broadcast as "painful and unforgivable." The incident has sparked broader concerns about media responsibility and racial sensitivity. Jonte Richardson, a member of Bafta’s emerging talent judging panel, announced his resignation, citing the organization's failure to safeguard dignity during the event. He criticized the handling of the situation as "utterly unforgivable," highlighting the need for greater accountability in addressing such incidents. Additionally, Butler raised questions about the BBC's decision to edit out a portion of Bafta winner Akinola Davies Jr.'s acceptance speech, which included the phrase "Free Palestine." The BBC defended its editing decisions, stating that all changes were made to adhere to time constraints during broadcast. However, Butler urged the network to provide clarity on who was responsible for the oversight and why the racial slur was initially left in. The controversy has drawn significant attention from political figures as well. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called the BBC’s mistake "horrible" and emphasized the importance of apologizing for not addressing the issue earlier. Bafta itself acknowledged the harm caused by the incident and apologized unreservedly to those impacted, including Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo. Overall, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring media broadcasts are free from offensive language and respectful to all participants. The response from various stakeholders underscores the importance of accountability and sensitivity

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Originally published on BBC World on 2/24/2026