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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Liam Thorp

Merseyside-born Tory minister sorry for continuing with meeting despite positive covid test

A Conservative health minister has apologised after she continued with a meeting despite testing positive for Covid-19.

Gillian Keegan, who was born in Huyton, said she found out her result before a visit to meet some bereaved fathers on Tuesday.

The result came via a 'precautionary' Lateral Flow test, but Ms Keegan continued with the meeting.

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In a statement on twitter, she said this was an 'error of judgement.'

Mr Keegan wrote: "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.

"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."

The MP for Chichester is currently isolating at home and says she 'feels fine.'

Ms Keegan grew up in Huyton, and attended St Augustine of Canterbury Secondary School (since renamed St Thomas Becket) in Huyton, she then started her career aged 16 as an apprentice at a car factory in Kirkby.

She studied at Liverpool John Moores University and then London Business School and after a successful business career she entered politics.

First elected in 2017, she was made a care minister at the health department as part of Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle last September.

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