Jonte Richardson, a Black writer and producer, has resigned from BAFTA's emerging talent judging panel, describing the organisation's response to a racial slur shouted during Sunday's Film Awards ceremony as 'utterly unforgivable,'according to Variety.

Richardson posted a statement on Facebook on Monday evening, saying he would not contribute his 'time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.'

The incident occurred during the 22 February ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London.Tourette's syndromecampaigner John Davidson, executive producer on the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the award for best visual effects,The Hollywood Reporter confirmed.

Black filmmaker Jonte Richardson says he is stepping down as a BAFTA judge:pic.twitter.com/urUuyetBFb

Host Alan Cumming interrupted his monologue several times to remind viewers that Tourette's syndrome is a disability and that Davidson's tics were involuntary. Those in attendance had also been warned before the ceremony began that Davidson would be present and that strong language might be heard.

TheBBC, which aired the ceremonyon a time-delayed broadcast, did not cut the slur. The corporation later apologised for the broadcast.

Warner Bros., the studio behind Sinners, raised immediate concerns with BAFTA on the night of the ceremony and asked for the slur to be removed from the broadcast. The studio was given assurances that the message would be passed to the BBC and producer Penny Lane TV.

A meeting between BAFTA and Warner Bros. executives took place on Monday.

Davidson, whose life story inspired I Swear - for which Robert Aramayo won the best actor BAFTA -later said he was 'deeply mortifiedif anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.' He chose to leave the auditorium during the ceremony and watched the remainder from a screen elsewhere in the venue.

The@BBCshould never have aired the N-word racist slur, directed at@[email protected] had a two-hour delay!This is painful & unforgivable.I've requested an urgent explanation.pic.twitter.com/PuZuD6UI9e

Source: International Business Times UK