Kay Burley to be off the air for six months in the wake of controversial birthday reunion

SKY NEWS HOST Kay Burley agreed to stay off the air for six months “for a cooling off period” after she and other Sky News reporters met at a London restaurant over the weekend for Burley’s 60th birthday.

As a result of an internal review, Sky News has said that Burley agreed to be off the air for six months, and political editor Beth Rigby and correspondent Inzamam Rashid, who were also at the meeting, agreed to be off the air for three months.

Burley said in a statement shared on Twitter that “we are all in the fight against Covid-19 and that we all have a duty to firmly adhere to the rules.”

Never mind that I thought I was Covid compliant at a recent social event. The fact is, I was wrong, I made a big mistake, and I’m sorry. Some dear friends and colleagues … have been involved in this episode and I am so sorry.

He added that he hopes to continue his career with Sky when he returns.

London is at Level 2 of England’s Covid-19 three-tier system, which means socializing with people who are not in your home or bubble of support, at home or in a public place is not recommended. Meetings of up to six people are only allowed outdoors, in what is called “the rule of six.”

It was reported that Burley attended a restaurant with a group of people in London, and then the host allegedly went to a second restaurant. Answering this on Monday, Burley said on Twitter:

“I want to apologize to all of you for an error in judgment. Saturday night I was enjoying my 60th birthday at a Covid-compliant restaurant. I’m embarrassed to say that later in the evening I inadvertently broke the rules.

He had been waiting for a taxi at 11pm to get home. Desperate for the toilet, I briefly went into another restaurant to spend a penny. I can only apologize.