COVIDIOT Rita Ora and her A-list pals were facing a police probe after CCTV gear was seized from the venue of her rule-breaking 30th birthday bash.
The 30-strong party could all face hefty fines of up to £10,000 if the images show them breaching life-saving rules on household mixing during lockdown.
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And the posh West London restaurant where they blew a fortune was also being probed by council licensing officers for staging the secret soiree.
Two plain-clothed police officers arrived at the exclusive Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, West London yesterday.
They were later seen carrying away what appeared to be video recording equipment and loading it into a white Metropolitan Police van.
Met Police have adopted a softly softly approach to covid rule-breaking during the second lockdown but will act upon flagrant breaches.
POLICE SWOOP
A Kensington and Chelsea Council spokesman said a licensing “enforcement officer” was sent to the premises and will liaise with Met Police.
Bosses at the posh Casa Cruz eatery in trendy Notting Hill, West London have claimed to have no knowledge of the singer‘s 30-guest bash on Saturday.
Witnesses have since claimed a similar party was staged for a well-heeled reveller on Friday, but the restaurant again declined to comment.
Brits forced to scrap social events due to lockdown rules have blasted Rita as a selfish Covid cheat as No10 again urged the public to stick to rules to beat the killer virus.
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Rita boozed with guests including models Cara and Poppy Delevingne.
Her sister Elena, 32, Towie pal Vas Morgan, 31, and others were seen sneaking through the back exit clutching bottles of alcohol including Rita’s own-brand tequila.
At one stage, police arrived and were seen peering through the windows and trying to open a heavy-duty security door.
Rita was seen later in high heels, a white satin dress and a coat as she was escorted by security out of the venue.
She wore a mask and clutched black shopping bags as she got into a silver Land Rover.
FINE MESS
A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 21:10hrs on Saturday, 28 November to reports of a potential breach of Covid regulations at a commercial premises in Clarendon Road, W11.
“Officers attended and carried out enquiries at the scene but found no indication of any offence being committed at the time.
“Officers continue to assess the allegations and are liaising with the local authority regarding a potential breach of regulations at the premises.”
“Inquiries continue.”
Rita has already offered to pay the £10,000 fine and will do the right thing whatever happens from now on
Spokesman for Rita Ora
A Kensington and Chelsea spokesman said: “We’re investigating Casa Cruz and with it being an ongoing investigation I really can’t say much more than that at this stage.
“But I can say it’s an investigation into a potential breach of licensing regulations, and a potential breach of covid regulations.
“Kensington has been quiet. This kind of investigation has been rarely necessary and our enforcement officers have been really impressed generally with how businesses are obeying the restrictions.”
A spokesman for the singer said: “We don’t have any comment on the police activity at present.
“But Rita has already offered to pay the £10,000 fine and will do the right thing whatever happens from now on.”
Pop star, best known for her hits “Hot Right Now” and “Your Song,” apologised for the party describing it as “a small gathering with some friends”.
She added: “This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement,
“Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility.”
The Government imposed a national lockdown from November 5 until December 2 in a bid to prevent social gatherings and mixing of households.
Rules state people must stay at home and avoid meeting others they do not live with.
Restaurants should remain closed except for takeaway meals. Breaches can result in hefty fines.
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