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Tourette's Campaigner Seeks Video Link for Scottish Baftas
Confirmed
In Short: Tourette's campaigner John Davidson has requested to watch the Scottish Baftas via a video link from a separate room within the venue, following his incident at the Bafta Film Awards in February.
Davidson, who was awarded an MBE in 2019 for his work in raising awareness of Tourette's syndrome, suggested this arrangement to Bafta Scotland.
Bafta Scotland said it had worked with safeguarding and inclusion experts to allow Davidson to participate in the ceremony 'in the safest way possible for all'.
The incident occurred when Davidson, whose condition involves involuntary tics, shouted a racial slur during the Bafta Film Awards ceremony, causing significant distress.
The BBC later apologized for airing the slur, which remained on BBC iPlayer until the following day, despite being shown on a two-hour delay.
Davidson stated, 'I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.
The Scottish Baftas ceremony is scheduled for November, and Bafta Scotland has confirmed that major considerations have been undertaken to allow Davidson to attend the event.
The organization has consulted with Tourettes Action and Tourette Scotland, as well as other experts, to ensure the event is inclusive and safe.
Davidson removed himself from the Royal Festival Hall audience after his involuntary interruptions during the ceremony.
Bafta Scotland said, 'Following those conversations and our wider risk assessment, we have made adjustments to enable John to attend in the way he has suggested to us, which is to watch the ceremony via video link from a separate relaxed space within the venue together with his family and friends.
What this adds
Bafta Scotland's efforts to accommodate Davidson reflect a broader commitment to inclusivity and safety at their events.
What's confirmed
- Since then, the BAFTA team has worked extensively and consulted widely on best practice to learn from what happened in February and the racial harm experienced by our community, and to make our Awards events as inclusive and as safe as possible.
What's still developing
- The racial slur was shouted while Michael B Jordan (left) and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award Davidson, from Galashiels, shouted loudly several times before and during the Bafta ceremony in February.
- BBC sorry for airing racial slur shouted by guest with Tourette's at Baftas Tourette's campaigner says BBC 'should have worked harder' to stop his slur being aired 'It's very overcrowded': Freed prisoners speak to BBC as new early release scheme begins We fear for our lives after being told our abusive exes will be freed from jail early US death row inmate survives execution attempt after two lethal injections We fear for our lives after being told our abusive exes will be freed from jail early Plummeting Israel flight like 'rollercoaster', says passenger.
- "I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing." At the time, Bafta thanked Davidson for his "dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him".
- Following the announcement on Thursday, a letter was sent to members from chair Sara Putt and CEO Jane Millichip confirming that major considerations had been undertaken to allow Davidson to attend the upcoming ceremony on Nov.