BAFTAs speaks out after Tourette's syndrome activist yelled racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during ceremony

The BAFTAs has released an official statement following the controversy that occurred at Sunday night's ceremony (February 22), and apologized to two actors in particular.

Last night marked this year's BAFTA Awards, which were hosted by The Good Wife star Alan Cumming.

One movie that was up for several awards last night was I Swear, a film based on John Davidson's life after he was diagnosed with Tourette's.

With the movie's success in mind, Davidson was in attendance at the awards and the audience are said to have been forewarned about the involuntary tics that could occur during the ceremony.

In one instance, Davidson shouted the N-word when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo when they were on stage to present an award — a moment which the BBC were criticized for airing.

Lindo has since spoken out about the ordeal and said that he wished that he and Jordan were spoken to by BAFTA after the incident, and that he and his Sinners co-star 'did what we had to'.

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage when a racial slur was used (Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)

Now the BAFTA itself has addressed the matter and apologized to Jordan and Lindo.

The statement shared with UNILAD from the arts charity reads: "At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologize to all.

"One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional.

"John Davidson is an executive producer of the BAFTA nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.

"We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony."

The BAFTAs has now addressed yesterday's controversy (Scott Garfitt/BAFTA via Getty Images)

Addressing the moment Davidson used a racial slur, the BAFTAs continued: "Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologize unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.

"During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.

"We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologize to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Racial Equity Support Line on 503-575-3764, available weekdays from 10am to 7pm PT. Or via the Lines for Life Equity Team at [email protected].