Advertisement

Rita Ora apologises for 'inexcusable' lockdown-flouting birthday bash

Rita Ora was caught throwing a birthday party (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for MTV)
Rita Ora was caught throwing a birthday party (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for MTV)

Rita Ora has said she feels “embarrassed” over her “inexcusable error of judgement” in throwing a 30th birthday party during lockdown.

The How to Be Lonely singer was spotted entering a West London restaurant on Saturday night with friends including Cara and Poppy Delevingne, Vas Morgan, and Ora’s sister Elena.

Read more: Why do popstars fall for conspiracy theories?

Police were seen peering through the windows of the supposedly closed Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, and now Ora, who turned 30 last week, has apologised for breaking COVID restrictions.

Rita Ora launched her own brand of tequila in the week she turned 30 (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for ABA)
Rita Ora launched her own brand of tequila in the week she turned 30 (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for ABA)

In a statement, she wrote: "Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK... I'm deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk.

"This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement. Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility.

Read more: AJ Pritchard won’t hear of gran’s death until leaving I’m A Celebrity

"I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe.

“Even though this won't make it right, I want to sincerely apologise."

Ora is thought to have been fined £10,000 for breaching lockdown rules, which have been in place since November 5 and are due to finish on December 2.

However, after lockdown London will move into tier two restrictions, which would still ban Ora from meeting other households indoors and limit any outdoor gatherings to the rule of six.

At the moment, restaurants are supposed to remain closed except for takeaway food and face hefty fines for breaking the rules.

Last week, Ora launched her own tequila brand in the UK called Prospero Tequila.

Rita Ora has apologised for her party
Rita Ora has apologised for her party

She isn’t the only famous face to have flouted lockdown rules over the weekend - actor Laurence Fox boasted that he had welcomed a large group over for lunch and hugged them in a defiant tweet.

He also called the NHS not fit for purpose in comments that enraged Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.

In an angry rant, Morgan said: “It epitomises the attitude of a small vocal minority of people in this country who just don't think this pandemic is for them.

“It's not just about you, it's about other people in our society, vulnerable people, sick people, elderly people, people who've already got underlying conditions. It's to stop them being killed.”