Yahoo Lifestyle 
Rita Ora 'offers to pay $10k fine' for 'inexcusable' COVID party
Rita Ora has apologised after throwing an "inexcusable" 30th birthday party with 30 or more friends during the UK’s second lockdown.
Guests included Cara and Poppy Delevingne, Rita's sister Elena and The Only Way Is Essex star Vas Morgan, who all were snapped entering the restaurant through the back door clutching bottles of alcohol.
"Rita and her sister came to the restaurant first, all dolled up and clearly looking forward to a good night," a source told The Sun.
"There were a number of guests, all dressed up very glamorously, and everyone entered the building through the back, with security watching the front to make sure no one else went in. It went on until the early hours."
RELATED
Nicholas Fallows, who is listed as the sole director of the restaurant, insisted he knew nothing about the party.
Sources have revealed to The Sun that Rita has voluntarily offered to pay the £10,000 ($18,150 AUD) fine after speaking with police, who arrived on the scene of the party and then later went to her home.
The singer has since taken to Instagram to apologise for the party, writing: "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."
She continued, "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."
Earlier in the week Rita posted to Instagram saying "it felt weird not doing anything for my bday", with photos of herself dolled up at home enjoying a piece of cake.
Twitter users aren't impressed by the apology, with one user writing the singer needs to "grow the f**k up".
"We all missed parties," the user wrote. "My 50th was spent suffering from COVID-19, my daughter's graduation, our 25th wedding anniversary & so much more & you think an 'apology' [will] suffice? GROW THE F**K UP millions of us are hurting!"
"I hope @RitaOra and friends keep themselves away from the #NHS over the next few weeks, the staff deserve better," another angry user wrote. "They should all be made to isolate for the next 14 days. Lots of us have spent milestone birthdays at home."
"And here we are trying to work out which family members we can and can’t see at Christmas, unlikely to be able to have a party with all of our friends at New Year," a third added. "This sort of behaviour is why others think they can do what they like and not follow the rules."
"She doesn’t give a toss. One rule for the rich and famous, another for us. She thought the lockdown was ending last weekend, when everything is still closed? What a load of absolute bulls**t,” another person said.
"My father is seriously ill in hospital," another user wrote. "I cannot travel to visit him because of lockdown rules. Why on earth do you think you are above the law?"
The second lockdown in England began on November 5 and is set to end on December 2.
Rules very clearly state people must stay at home and avoid meeting with people they don't live with. Breaches of rules result in hefty fines.
A Government spokesperson stressed on Monday: "Everyone must continue to follow the rules, or we risk losing control of this virus again."
Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.
Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.
