Rita Ora ‘deeply sorry and embarrassed’ after breaking lockdown rules for 30th birthday party

Pop singer was criticised after pictures emerged showing her guests arriving for a private party in London

Rita Ora has apologised after it emerged that she threw a private 30th birthday party at a restaurant in London’s Notting Hill during lockdown.

Pictures in The Sun showed a number of celebrity guests arriving at Casa Cruz restaurant, including Cara and Poppy Delevingne, and Towie star Vas Morgan. 

Ora, who turned 30 on 26 November, was criticised for holding the event at a time where indoor gatherings of more than six people are banned. 

In an Instagram Story, Ora said she was “embarrassed" and “deeply sorry” for breaking the rules. 

“I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday,” she wrote. 

(Rita Ora/Instagram)

“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…”

She continued: “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.”

Ora said she felt particularly embarrassed as she knows “firsthand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness”. 

“Even though this won’t make it right, I want to sincerely apologise,” she said.

Read more: Rita Ora accused of breaking lockdown rules

A Met Police spokesperson told The Sun: “Police were called at 9.10pm on Saturday to reports of a potential breach of Covid regulations in W11.”

Boris Johnson's official spokesman said in a statement today (30 November) that the lockdown rules apply to celebrities and that they should be setting examples.

He said: “It’s important that everybody in society sets an example by following the rules – that is for every member of the public including celebrities.”

Read more: Piers Morgan tells Laurence Fox to ‘shut up’ after lockdown boast

He added: “Throughout the pandemic we’ve been clear that it’s vital for everyone to abide by the rules in order to suppress the virus and reduce the transmission, but enforcement matter is for the police.”

The government has imposed a national lockdown until 2 December in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, after which a “uniform set of measures” will be applied in tiers across England until spring 2021.

Members of the public have been asked to stay at home unless essential, and avoid meeting people outside of their “bubble”.

Restaurants in London are currently closed with the exception of takeaway meals. Those in breach of the rules can face hefty fines.