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This year’s Baftas red carpet was gate-crashed by a group of protesters wearing T-shirts adorned with the slogan ‘Time’s Up Theresa’.
Acting on behalf of Sisters Uncut – a feminist group formed in 2014 who describe themselves as ‘taking direct action for domestic violence services’ – they stormed the Royal Albert Hall event, chanting “sisters united will never be defeated” and taking part in a sit-down protest.
During the Baftas, the organisation’s Twitter account posted numerous messages, criticising the upcoming Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill being implemented by the government.
“Theresa May’s upcoming Domestic Violence Bill is a dangerous distraction,” the messages stated. “Survivors will be locked up by a harmful criminal justice system, locked out of refuges or locked into violent relationships.”
“Survivors are already being arrested when they report abuse, and giving the police more power will increase this. 57% of women in prison have experienced domestic abuse.
“The police and prisons are no solution to domestic violence. Give power back to survivors: fund refuges and specialist domestic violence services.”
Suzanne Da Costa, a domestic violence helpline worker who took part in the protest, said in a statement : “Imagine calling the police for help and ending up in a police cell – it’s incredibly traumatic and a story I’ve heard too often from survivors. We shouldn’t be giving the police more power, we should be giving power back to survivors”.
The protest took place moments before Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge walked the red carpet. Meanwhile, many of the actors at the event wore all-black in support of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements — including Angelina Jolie, Margot Robbie, and Gemma Arterton.
BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpetShow all 26 1 /26BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge For the annual ceremony the Duchess relied on a firm fashion favourite for her red carpet look. This olive green Jenny Packham gown may defy the dress code, but it's no less worthy of a style accolade. Meanwhile, the Duke stayed true to the uniform in a traditional black tuxedo.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Allison Janney The I,Tonya star excelled in this strapless black and gold ensemble which flattered the American actress from all angles.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Gemma Arterton Few women could pull off the brazen pleats and avant-garde neckline of this couture Alberta Ferretti gown, but Gemma Arterton manages to seduce and delight with aplomb. A simple swish of scarlet lipstick proves the British actress's flair for the dramatic, an apt addition given the occasion.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Salma Hayek A Gucci girl to her core, Hayek returned to the red carpet as Alessandro Michele's ultimate leading lady in this floral design, which was topped off with rosy rhinestones and a black velvet clutch.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Margot Robbie The Australian beauty’s porcelain-perfect skin was offset by a halter-neck Givenchy couture gown that gracefully flowed onto the red carpet in oscillating pleats.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Chiwetel Ejiofor and Frances Aaternir Packing a stylish power couple punch, Ejiofor and Aaternir each donned classic black tuxedos and #TimesUp pins for the glittering event.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Emma Roberts With a plunging Eighties neckline and oversized shoulder pads, the American actress successfully channelled a nostalgic nod to another Hollywood era in this Schiaparelli gown.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Rungano Nyoni The I Am Not A Witch director added splashes of colour to her gown of choice, which featured a peppering of heavily-embroidered purple floral patterns.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Lily James The British actress posed up a storm in this strapless tulle gown, worthy of a darker and edgier Cinderella.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Jennifer Lawrence The American actress stayed true to her Dior heritage in a rigid off-the-shoulder gown hot off the design house's spring 2018 couture catwalk.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Saoirse Ronan Nominated for her leading role in Ladybird, the Irish actress was semi-prepared for the British chill in a polo-neck Chanel gown that fluttered in the wind thanks to a sheer pleated skirt, complete with a buoyant feather trim.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Greta Gerwig With three nominations for her coming-of-age drama, Ladybird, the American actress, writer and director kept things simple in a feminine shift dress adorned with flowers.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Lupita Nyong'o The Academy-Award-winning actress proved her style credentials in this Elie Saab gown, featuring innovative cuts and a peplum skirt that complemented Nyong'o's lean figure.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Angelina Jolie Nobody looks more at home sashaying down the red carpet than Ms Jolie, who probably would've stuck to her trademark all-black aesthetic regardless of the #TimesUp incentive. Nonetheless, the Hollywood starlet stunned in this velvet sweetheart-neck gown, which she paired with dramatic drop diamond earrings.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Naomie Harris Never one to shy away from daring textures, the beloved British talent amplified her cigarette trousers with a highly-decorative sheer cape that accentuated her longline figure.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Cressida Bonas Void of colour is by no means void of charm as Bonas proved in this wonderfully-girlish gown. Complete with a decorative bodice and dynamic skirt, the British actress looked just the part for the glamorous ceremony ahead.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Kate Mara In a playful interpretation of the all-black dress code, the American actress' intricately-embellished Dior gown featured gold piping and a gentle tulle skirt. Minimal jewellery brought an elevated elegance to her look.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Sir Patrick Stewart Proudly sporting a #TimesUp pin next to his lapel, the British acting legend showed his support for the movement in a dark navy and black suit.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Octavia Spencer Renowned for a slew of sartorial successes on the red carpet, the Academy-Award-winning actress brought a subtle opulence to the BAFTAs in a geometrically-patterned gown, paired with fairy-like cropped sleeves.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Nicholas Hoult There's nothing wrong with a classic tuxedo, as the former Skins frontman proved in his perfectly-tailored look.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Letitia Wright Taking some time out to from Black Panther promo, the British actress turned heads in a slim-fitting velvet gown by Gucci, complete with diamanté straps and an army of glittering bumblebees.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Will Poulter The young British actor wore an all-black ensemble accessorised only by a #TimesUp pin and a classic pair of specs.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Anya Taylor-Joy Staying true to her trademark gothic aesthetic, the 21-year-old actress brought a dark romance to the red carpet in a sheer lace Dolce & Gabbana gown. Plus, in an unexpected regal twist, the star of The Miniaturist completed her look with a decadent golden crown.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Rochelle Humes The British singer arrived to host the red carpet arrival coverage wearing a simple but effective plunging long-sleeved gown.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Natalie Dormer The former Game of Thrones star cut a slick silhouette in a strapless chiffon Alberta Ferretti gown with a dramatic micro-train that billowed over the red carpet.
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BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Kristen Scott Thomas The Darkest Hour actress donned a black tapered Dior gown while showcasing her new pixie haircut. Paired with a #TimesUp pin and a rather dazzling pair of oversized diamond Buccellati earrings, Scott Thomas' look was the perfect amalgamation of red carpet glamour and sophistication.
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