John Davidson, a campaigner with Tourette’s syndrome and executive producer of the film *I Swear*, will watch the upcoming Bafta Scotland Awards ceremony remotely from a separate room, following the controversy surrounding the use of a racial slur during this year’s Bafta Film Awards in London.

The incident occurred in February when Davidson involuntarily shouted the N-word as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. Despite a two-hour broadcast delay, the BBC did not censor the utterance during its televised coverage, prompting significant public concern. Davidson, whose life inspired the film *I Swear*, which chronicles his experiences growing up with Tourette’s in Scotland, expressed deep mortification over the incident and emphasised that his vocal tic was not intentional or meant to convey any harmful message.

The film has received seven nominations for Bafta Scotland Awards, alongside an Audience Award nomination for one of its actors. Recognising the sensitivity surrounding the situation, Bafta officials collaborated with safeguarding and inclusion experts, as well as organisations such as Tourettes Action and Tourette Scotland, to develop a plan enabling Davidson to participate in the November 15 ceremony safely and comfortably.

Sara Putt, Bafta chairman, and Jane Millichip, chief executive, outlined in a letter to members that the organisation has accommodated Davidson’s request to watch the ceremony via video link in a relaxed space within the venue, accompanied by family and friends. The ceremony, to be hosted by Edith Bowman, will take place in Glasgow.

Following the broadcast of the slur, the BBC’s then director-general Tim Davie issued a statement expressing the corporation’s “profound regret” for airing the offensive word. Bafta also commissioned an independent review to assess the incident and its handling. The review identified shortcomings related to internal planning, escalation, and crisis coordination but found no evidence of malicious intent by those involved.

In acknowledging the impact of the event, Bafta’s board of trustees issued apologies not only to the Black community offended by the slur but also to the disability community, noting that Davidson’s involuntary condition had resulted in “unfair judgment.”

The adjustments to the ceremony reflect Bafta’s efforts to balance inclusivity, safety, and respect for all participants as the organisation seeks to move forward from the controversy.