Health Minister Gillian Keegan sorry for not ending meeting with bereaved fathers after positive COVID test

Health Minister, Gillian Keegan, described her decision to proceed with a meeting involving of a group of fathers who lost their daughters to suicide, while she had tested positive for Covid-19 as an “error of judgement”.

Mrs. Keegan, who was born in Leigh, finished her secondary school education in Knowsley, Merseyside and her first job was with a company in Kirkby called Delco Electronics when she was 16 years-old.

Mrs. Keegan, met with a group of fathers on Tuesday who lost daughters to suicide, and claims she received the positive diagnosis during the meeting.

“Earlier today [Tuesday], ahead of a planned visit I took a precutionary [sic] LFD (lateral flow device) test which gave a positive result. I am now isolating at home and fortunately feel fine,” Gillian Keegan tweeted.

“When I was told my test was positive I was listening to three fathers who had tragically lost their daughters to suicide. I told them the result and took further precautions but with their consent, I stayed for a short period to hear their stories.”

Mrs. Keegan added: “I should have immediately ended the meeting and on reflection this was an error of judgment on my part. I fully recognise the importance of following the letter and spirit of the policies, so want to be upfront about what happened and to apologise for the mistake I made.”

One of the fathers with whom Mrs. Keegan met with said the health minister had “nothing to apologise for”.