'I APOLOGISE'
I’m A Celeb’s Malique Thompson-Dwyer apologises for going to illegal quarantine rave where 20-year-old died
HOLLYOAKS and I'm A Celeb star Malique Thompson-Dwyer has apologised for going to an illegal "quarantine rave" in Manchester where a 20-year-old died.
In a now-deleted Instagram video, he said: "First of all, I apologise to anyone I may have offended, but let me just get one thing straight.
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"I've got family members that have actually passed away from this coronavirus. So yo, I am in this as well. So don't go on at me like I am not in this as well.
"But it's funny how everyone is never saying anyone positive about me. It's always bad boy Malique this...
"They never want to say anything positive and it's funny because at least I am not out there p***ing on war memorials. Racist c***s."
Greater Manchester Police said that at its peak 4,000 people were at the illegal lockdown party.
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Malique filmed himself walking through a forest towards the underground party in Daisy Nook Park, Failsworth.
He told his followers: "There's a rave going on innit, can you hear the music?"
Behind him a stream of people followed the 22-year-old actor through the forest as they headed towards the rave.
The actor then filmed the partygoers in the park where a huge sign saying "Quarantine Rave" can be seen in the distance.
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A sea of rubbish was left behind in Daisy Park sparking outrage from members of the public who joined council workers this morning to help clear up the mess.
Greater Manchester Police revealed a 20-year-old man died of a suspected drug-overdose following the event in Failsworth.
At another rave in Carrington, three people were stabbed and police are investigating the rape of an 18-year-old woman.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, said: “These raves were illegal and I condemn them taking place - they were clearly a breach of coronavirus legislation and guidelines, and have had tragic consequences.
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“The gatherings were carefully monitored by officers but, like all forces, we needed to balance the present public health emergency and our overall demand with ongoing incidents, which can often provide a set of unique challenges when it comes to wider public safety."
Violence broke out at the party in Carrington when cops attempted to shutdown the illegal event.
Police said items were thrown at them and a police car was vandalised.
“Sadly, officers attempting to engage with participants of this gathering were met with violence, resulting in items being thrown and a police car being vandalised," said Assistant Chief Constable Sykes.
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"I want to make it clear that this is absolutely not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Our officers are working incredibly hard to keep people safe and should never be met with inexcusable violence whilst carrying out their duties."
Malique first shot to fame through his role as Prince McQueen in Hollyoaks before appearing in the 2018 series of I'm a Celebrity.
The Government banned mass gatherings at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in a bid to slow the spread of the disease.
Boris Johnson announced at the end of May changes to the lockdown rules to allow groups of up to six people to meet outside as long as they maintain social distancing measures.
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