SKY’S BURLEY OFF AIR FOR 6 MONTHS
‘ Sorry’ for Covid rules breach at 60th bash
SKY News presenter Kay Burley has admitted she made “a big mistake” after being taken off air for six months for breaking Covid- 19 rules.
The 59- year- old released a statement yesterday in which she also apologised for pulling colleagues at her early 60th bash on Saturday into “this episode”.
The channel’s political editor Beth Rigby and correspondent Inzamam Rashid have both been taken off air for three months after an internal review.
Burley previously said she had been celebrating her birthday at a “Covid- compliant” restaurant in West London – which is under Tier 2 restrictions – and afterwards “popped into another” venue to use the bathroom.
But i n a stat ement on Twitter, she said: “I have today agreed with Sky News to step back from my broadcasting role for a period of reflection. It’s clear we are all in the fight against Covid- 19 and that we all have a duty to stick firmly by the rules.
“It doesn’t matter that I thought I was Covid- compliant on a recent social event. The fact is I was wrong, I made a big mistake and I am sorry.
“Some dear friends and colleagues have been pulled into this episode and I regret this enormously. I very much look forward to being able to continue my 32- year career with Sky when I return.”
Burley, who presents a daily breakfast
show on Sky News, has grilled politicians on lockdown throughout the pandemic.
And in May, she questioned Cabinet Minister Michael Gove on the controversy over former top aide Dominic Cummings’ trip to Barnard Castle.
On Saturday, Burley partied with nine pals at the Century Club. A group then went to private restaurant Folie before four went to her West London home.
Sky News said: “A small number of staff attended a social event in London during w h i c h Co v i d - 1 9 g u i d e l i n e s we r e breached. As a result of an internal re v i e w, Kay Burl e y has agreed to be off air for six months, and Beth Rigby and I n z a mam R a s h i d h av e agreed to be off air for three.
“All regret the incident and have apologised.
“Everyone is expected to comply with the rules.”
Burley was not on air on Tuesday and Sarah Hewson presented. Following specul ation over whether she would return to work before 2021, she posted a now- deleted tweet saying she had always planned to take time off to visit “my beloved Africa”.
Sky News did not say who would replace Burley or Rigby.
Rigby said it was “wrong” to attend the event and a “huge error of judgement”.
Rashid said he feels “awful” and told colleagues he owes them “all an apology”.
We are all in fight and have a duty to stick by the rules
Kay Burley ON HAVING BROKEN RESTRICTIONS