Beth Rigby returns to Sky News after three-month ban for breaking Covid rules at Kay Burley’s birthday

Beth Rigby re-appeared on Sky News on Monday after being faraway from air for three months over a breach of coronavirus rules.

The channel’s political editor, who often held prime politicians to account in her reporting of Covid restrictions in the course of the pandemic, was dramatically taken off obligation in December when it emerged she had attended a non-compliant birthday occasion with anchor Kay Burley.

Burley was faraway from air at full pay for six months, as revealed by i, whereas Rigby and north of England correspondent Inzamam Rashid had been handed three month punishments.

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The journalists, amongst a reported group of 10 get together goers, attended the upmarket Century Club in Soho, central London, for Burley’s sixtieth bash. Burley and Rigby had been additionally photographed embracing outdoors the venue in a breach of social distancing rules.

She later apologised for breaching Tier 2 restrictions that night time, admitting she “ought to have recognized higher”.

The Monday afternoon look is Rigby’s first time on air since saying she would use the day off “to replicate” on her behaviour following the choice by channel bosses.

Rigby has been largely quiet within the intervening months, however started sharing political information on her Twitter feed once more in February after two months with out exercise.

The Cambridge-educated broadcaster emailed colleagues at the time to “let you know how sorry I’m for what I’ve accomplished in latest days and allow you to know it should by no means occur once more.”

In the message to Sky News staff she mentioned: “It was incorrect of me to attend the dinner occasion, and it was incorrect of me to hug Kay Burley goodbye as I used to be leaving to go house. 

“I’ve lined the rules all through the pandemic and I ought to have recognized higher.

“Everyone is making sacrifices and is restricted in some ways proper now and mine was an enormous error of judgement. 

“You will know the way proud I’m to work for Sky News. I additionally need you to know the way sorry I’m that I allow you to all down in addition to our viewers whom we’re right here to serve.”

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