Madonna in hot water over party

2010-07-19 21:13

London - US pop star Madonna was in hot water with her neighbours over a loud party thrown at her London house when she was not there, council officials said on Monday.

Staff working for Madonna at her home in Marylebone, central London, threw a party on the afternoon of June 27 that was so noisy that nearby residents called Westminster City Council to complain.

Officials who arrived at the property shortly afterwards said the music and singing was loud enough to be considered "statutory nuisance".

They pushed a noise abatement notice through the letterbox, after which the music stopped.

The order was issued to Madonna, who is listed as the building's owner, even though she was not present at the party.

The 51-year-old singer, who is not in Britain at the current time, was also told she could face a fine of up to £5 000 for any further offences.

Westminster City Council said the case was unlikely to go to court.

"We take the issue of noise pollution very seriously and treat every case alike and fairly, regardless of who owns the property concerned," said councillor Ed Argar, cabinet member for city management.

"If people want to hold a party, regardless of the time of day or night, they need to show some common courtesy to their neighbours, who should not have to pay the price for others' selfish behaviour."

Madonna has been spending less time in Britain since she divorced her British film director husband Guy Ritchie in 2008 after seven years of marriage.

- SAPA