BBC Faces Criticism After “Free Palestine” Removed From BAFTA 2026 While N-Word Remains Unedited

The broadcast of the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards continues to face criticism following the revelation that remarks advocating for “Free Palestine” were edited out, while other segments were included in the airing.

In the delayed broadcast on BBC One, a racial slur uttered by John Davidson, who has Tourette’s syndrome, was not edited out before it aired. Simultaneously, audiences observed that the phrase “Free Palestine,” spoken by the remarkable British debut winner Akinola Davies Jr, had been omitted from the final cut.

The contrast ignited a frenzy on social media. Producers from the BBC stated that they were monitoring the ceremony from a truck and “simply did not hear the slur.” The corporation subsequently released a statement: “Some viewers may have encountered strong and offensive language during the Bafta film awards.” This originated from involuntary verbal tics linked to Tourette syndrome, and as clarified during the ceremony, it was not done on purpose. We sincerely regret that this was not removed before the broadcast, and it will be taken out of the version available on BBC iPlayer.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described it as a “horrible mistake” and remarked, “It should have been bleeped, because I was informed that there were two other instances that were bleeped … people shouting Free Palestine.”

Meanwhile, host Alan Cumming addressed the audience: “Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, meaning that the person with Tourette syndrome has no control over their language.” We sincerely apologize if you feel offended this evening.

The BBC has subsequently re-edited the broadcast. Nonetheless, uncertainties persist regarding editorial choices, uniformity, and the aspects that receive protection during post-production.