Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie addressed the controversial on-air incident, which saw Tourette’s advocate John Davidson involuntarily call out the “n-word” while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage at the award show last month, including why the moment was not initially scrubbed from the broadcast.

In a letter to the chair of the U.K. government’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Davie on Friday said there is no evidence to suggest the incident was anything other than “genuine human error,” BBC News reported.

“Because no one in the broadcast truck was aware it was on the live feed,” he continued, “there was therefore no editorial decision made to leave the language in.”

Davie also noted there was a second similar incident, this one while "Sinners‘" Wunmi Mosaku was accepting her best supporting actress award, but it was quickly caught by editors, who removed it from “the version of the ceremony that would be broadcast later that evening.”

During the BAFTA Awards, held on Feb. 22, host Alan Cumming told audience members that Davidson was in the crowd, explaining the “strong language in the background” can “be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people.” He also thanked guests their “understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”

Jordan and Lindo had been presenting the award for best visual effects when the incident occurred. In addition to yelling the n-word, Davidson could also be heard saying things like, “Shut the f– up,” and “f– you” throughout the night.

“I Swear,” a movie inspired by Davidson’s life, was among the films nominated for a BAFTA this weekend. Robert Aramayo won best actor for his leading role as Davidson.

Despite airing on a two-hour delay on the BBC, the slur was still included in the broadcast and remained on streaming service iPlayer until the following morning. Davie said they are looking into why it stayed on the streamer for as long as it did.

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