A Tory MP and Health Minister with links to Merseyside has apologised after she continued a meeting with a group of fathers bereaved by suicide despite having tested positive for COVID-19.

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”.

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