LONDON – A Tourette syndrome campaigner has apologized after shouting a racial slur during the British Academy Film Awards, saying he was “deeply offended” and what he said was “not a reflection of my personal beliefs.”
John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner for people with Tourette syndrome who inspired the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear,” said in a statement on Monday that “they would be deeply saddened if anyone considered my involuntary actions to be deliberate or having any meaning.”
Highly offensive words could be heard when “Sinners” star Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who are both Black, were presenting the award for best visual effects during Sunday’s ceremony. Host Alan Cumming had previously told viewers that Davidson was present.
The incident prompted the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to apologize for “offensive language that has caused immeasurable shock and pain to so many people”, adding, “We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
Tourette’s Action – a Tourette syndrome charity – called for understanding of the condition.
“We deeply understand that these words can hurt but at the same time, it is important that the public understand a basic truth about Tourette syndrome: Tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions or character,” said Emma McNally, CEO of Tourette Action.
Tourette syndrome, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by sudden, involuntary movements or sounds called tics, which wax and wane but may worsen with excitement or anxiety. They may seem purposeful, but are not, and the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Tourette information page says that people trying to suppress them often report a build-up of tension before the tics erupt.
The Tourette Association of America says that about 10-15% of people with the syndrome experience a type of vocal tic called coprolalia – involuntary swearing, insults or other socially unacceptable words or phrases.
Several screams were heard during the first part of the ceremony, although what was said was not understood by an Associated Press reporter in the press room.
After being abused during Jordan and Lindo’s performance, Cumming apologized to the audience at London’s Royal Festival Hall for his “strong and offensive language”.
“Tourette syndrome is a disability and the things you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, meaning the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language,” Cummings said. “We apologize if you were offended.”
Davidson said in his statement that “I decided to leave the auditorium at the beginning of the ceremony because I knew how much trouble my actions were causing me.”
This epithet could be heard when the BBC broadcast the ceremony approximately two hours after the live event. The broadcaster apologized for not editing it out before broadcast, although the offensive words could still be heard on its iPlayer streaming service on Monday morning. The program was later removed, and the BBC said the insults would be edited out.
“Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards,” the BBC said in a statement. “This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as was explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional.
“I Swear” won two BAFTAs, including Best Actor for Robert Aramayo, who played Davidson.
Representatives for the film and Jordan and Lindo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Medical writer Lauran Neergaard in Washington and national writer Jocelyn Noveck in Paris contributed reporting.
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