Many are questioning the timing of the decision to “suspend” Bohemian Rhapsody director Bryan Singer‘s Bafta nomination.
The director had his nomination stripped following accusations of sexually abusing underage boys that surfaced over a fortnight ago.
However, the Queen film “remains nominated” in the Outstanding British Film category, which will be announced on Sunday.
Intriguingly, voting closed for this year’s Bafta Awards hours before the announcement, leading some to believe that Bohemian Rhapsody could well have won the trophy.
Other nominees in the category include The Favourite, Beast, Stan & Ollie, McQueen and You Were Never Really Here.
Singer was accused in an exposé published by The Atlantic that saw four men accuse the director of sexually molesting them while they were underage. He denies all allegations.
Bohemian Rhapsody‘s Freddie Mercury star Rami Malek called the allegations “a horrible thing”.
Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent MindsThis year’s Baftas takes place on Sunday 10 February and will air on BBC One at 9pm.