Rita Ora apologizes for breaking lockdown rules with her 30th birthday party: 'This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgment'

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Rita Ora has said she feels “embarrassed” over her “inexcusable error of judgement” in throwing a 30th birthday party in London during lockdown. The U.K. is currently in the midst of a second national 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.

Rita Ora was caught throwing a birthday party despite London being in the midst of a pandemic lockdown. (Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for MTV)
Rita Ora was caught throwing a birthday party despite London being in the midst of a pandemic lockdown. (Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for MTV)

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 apologized for breaking COVID restrictions.

Ora says she's "embarrassed" after being caught flouting lockdown restrictions. (Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for ABA)
Ora says she's "embarrassed" after being caught flouting lockdown restrictions. (Photo: 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 judgment. Given the restrictions, I realize how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility.

"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 apologize."

Ora is thought to have been fined £10,000 (roughly $13,300) for breaching lockdown rules, which have been in place since Nov. 5 and are due to finish on Dec. 2.

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

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

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