Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has intensified pressure on the BBC, warning there have been “too many incidents of this kind” following the corporation’s broadcast of a racial slur during its coverage of the Bafta Film Awards.
Speaking during Culture, Media and Sport questions in the Commons on Thursday, Ms Nandy said the Government had been left dissatisfied with the broadcaster’s initial handling of the controversy.
“I think it’s fair to say that this Government and I were not satisfied with the initial response from the BBC,” she told MPs.
“We do need to see much swifter action taken in these sorts of instances, and action that results in this not happening again.
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Mr Davidson's involuntary verbal tics were audible in the broadcast
| GETTY“I think we’re all deeply concerned that there have been too many incidents of this kind.”
Her remarks mark a further escalation in the row, which erupted after the slur was heard during Sunday night’s ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall.
The offensive language came from Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, whose involuntary verbal tics were audible while Hollywood actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award on stage.
Although the ceremony was broadcast with a two-hour delay, the slur was not edited out before transmission.
Michael B Jordan is understood to be 'disgusted' by the incident | GETTYThe BBC later apologised, stating: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.
“We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
Bafta also issued its own statement accepting “full responsibility” and apologising “unreservedly” to Mr Jordan, Mr Lindo and those affected.
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John Davidson experiences involuntary vocal tics as a result of his condition | GETTYThe fallout has continued to mount in the days since.
Filmmaker Jonte Richardson announced he would step down as a Bafta judge, claiming the organisation had “repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community”.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Dawn Butler has demanded a written explanation from the BBC as to why the slur was not removed prior to broadcast, particularly given the delay.
BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips told staff in an internal memo that the remark was “aired in error” and insisted the corporation “would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast”.
Mr Davidson has since spoken of his distress, saying he felt “a wave of shame” when his tics were heard and that he had expected the BBC to remove the outburst before airing the programme.
Earlier this week, Ms Nandy had already branded the incident “completely unacceptable and harmful” in a strongly worded statement.
She said: “I share the serious concerns raised by so many people regarding the broadcast of a racial slur during the Bafta ceremony on Sunday evening.
Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting a Bafta at the time of one of the outbursts | GETTY"As the public would expect, I have raised this matter with the BBC director general."
She continued: "I welcome the launch of a full investigation by the BBC.
"Broadcasting a racial slur is completely unacceptable and harmful. The BBC must ensure that this never happens again.”