Sky News host Kay Burley dropped from show today after breaking Tier 2 Covid rules while celebrating 60th birthday
SKY News host Kay Burley was dropped from her show today after breaking Tier 2 Covid rules while celebrating her 60th birthday.
The broadcaster was at the centre of a star-studded group of ten colleagues who reportedly partied into the early hours, with four group members allegedly ending up at her London home.
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Burley, who now faces an internal inquiry at Sky News, is believed to have spent Saturday evening at swanky private members’ club Century Club in Soho.
She was not on air for her usual morning slot on Sky News today after apologising for her “error of judgment”.
The host was replaced by Sarah Hewson on the morning slot.
The gathering – said to have included colleagues Beth Rigby, Inzamam Rashid and Sam Washington – split into two smaller groups, spreading across a table of six and a table of four.
They then moved along to a nearby restaurant, Folie, before a smaller group of four are claimed to have broken the rules by going back to Burley’s house to continue celebrating.
Burley took to Twitter to apologise to her 517,000 followers, but only addressed her entering another venue to use the toilet.
Allowing people from other households inside your home and socialising in groups of more than six – even outdoors – are not allowed under Tier 2 rules.
On Twitter, Burley wrote: “Evening everyone. I want to apologise to you all for an error of judgement. On Saturday night I was enjoying my 60th birthday at a Covid compliant restaurant.
“I am embarrassed to say that later in the evening I inadvertently broke the rules.
“I had been waiting for a taxi at 11pm to get home. Desperate for the loo I briefly popped into another restaurant to spend a penny.”
Twitter users have called for her to resign over the matter, but others have expressed confusion over the carefully worded tweet – not understanding which rule she has broken by using an establishment’s bathroom.
Burley has held many politicians accountable over Covid rule breaks in her role at the broadcaster during the pandemic.
In May she interviewed Michael Gove over Dominic Cummings’ trip to Durham, and repeatedly asked him what the government advice would be for someone “struggling with Covid-19” who had a “problem with their eyesight” – referencing his trip he made to Barnard Castle.
She also tackled Matt Hancock over Professor Neil Ferguson’s forced resignation, asking the health secretary: “What did you think when you read it? Did you bang your head on the desk?”
A Sky News spokesperson said: “We place the highest importance on complying with the government guidelines on Covid, and we expect all our people to comply.
“We were disappointed to learn that a small number of Sky News staff may have engaged in activity that breached the guidelines.
“Although this took place at a social event in personal time, we expect all our people to follow the rules that are in place for everyone. An internal process is under way to review the conduct of the people involved.”
Rita Ora found herself in hot water after she floated lockdown rules for her 30th birthday party.
She was busted twice for ignoring Covid guidelines after she was paid to appear at an event in Egypt.
The 30-year-old singer flew by private jet to Cairo on November 21 to perform at the five-star W Hotel.
After returning the following day she should have self-isolated for 14 days but instead threw a birthday party on November 28 at the Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, West London.
In a statement, Ora said: “I recently flew to Egypt to perform at a corporate event for a private company, where my travel party followed protocol and presented negative Covid tests upon entry, as required by Egyptian authorities.
“Upon my return to Britain, I should have followed Government advice and isolated myself for the required period.
“As you know, I didn’t follow Government advice and I apologise again, unreservedly.
“While I realise the apologetic words of a pop star might not carry much weight, especially one who has broken the rules like I have, I do realise some might seek to follow my example.
“My message to them is simple: please don’t. The guilt and shame I’ve carried this week for my mistake aren’t worth it.”
