BBC slammed for ‘shameful’ cut to ‘free Palestine’ comment at BAFTA Awards

LONDON: The BBC was accused on Monday of a “shameful” decision after it cut part of an acceptance speech at the previous night’s British Academy Film Awards in which a filmmaker uttered the phrase “free Palestine.”

British-Nigerian director and co-writer Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother, co-writer Wale Davies were collecting the award for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer for their film “My Father’s Shadow” when the former made the comment.

The BBC’s decision to cut this section of Akinola Davies Jr’s speech when the #Baftas was broadcast later in the day is shameful.

Thank you Akinola Davies Jr for using your platform to speak out for the rights of migrants and people facing and fleeing from persecution and mass… pic.twitter.com/wtOOWetNiJ

— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) February 23, 2026