Derek Draper is an English former lobbyist, author, psychotherapist, journalist, and political advisor. He faced involvement in two significant political scandals, namely "Lobbygate" in 1998 and another in 2009 during his tenure as the editor of the LabourList website. Beyond his political career, he has ventured into the field of psychotherapy and has authored two books: "Blair's 100 Days" and "Life Support." Unfortunately, in March 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, he contracted the virus and experienced an exceptionally severe case of long-term COVID-19. Hospitalized for a year, he battled the lingering effects of the illness. In December 2023, he faced a return to the hospital due to extreme complications associated with his ongoing health challenges.
Early Life
Derek Draper, born on 15 August 1967, hails from Chorley, the UK His birth name is Derek William Draper. As of 2023, he celebrated his 56th birthday. He holds British nationality and identifies with British-White ethnicity. Despite keeping his parents' names private, it's known that he hasn't seen them for over a year due to strict COVID-19 regulations, preventing their visit while he was in Intensive Care. Recently, he is set to reunite with them after this extended period.
For his education, Draper attended Southlands High School until 1984, followed by Runshaw College in Leyland and the University of Manchester. During his university days, he provided hospitality for Ken Livingstone, a notable incident in his academic journey. Later, Draper retrained as a psychotherapist, earning an MA in clinical psychology after spending three years in Berkeley, California.
Career
- Derek Draper embarked on his political journey in 1990, initially serving as the constituency secretary for Nick Brown.
- His career path led him to work as a researcher for Hartlepool's MP, Peter Mandelson, in 1992.
- By 1996, he took on the role of director at the lobbying firm GPC Market Access, where he remained employed until early 1999.
- During this period, he co-established the New Labour organization Progress alongside Liam Byrne.
- Draper also held diverse roles, serving as the Political Editor of the Modern Review, briefly writing for the Daily Express, and working as a presenter on Talk Radio UK in the late 1990s.
- In 1998, a scandal dubbed "Lobbygate" unfolded when Draper, then still a director at GPC Market Access, was recorded boasting with Jonathan Mendelsohn to an undercover reporter from The Observer, Greg Palast, about their ability to sell access to government ministers and secure tax breaks for clients.
- The revelation led to Draper's dismissal from the Daily Express and his ostracization by Labour insiders.
- Despite denying the allegations and accusing The Observer of entrapment, Draper faced widespread ridicule.
- Peter Mandelson, his friend, acknowledged Draper's intelligence but remarked on his misuse of it, expressing hope that the incident would serve as a humbling lesson.
- Following his departure from politics, he pursued a career in psychotherapy, earning an MA in clinical psychology after three years of study in Berkeley, California.
- While in Berkeley, he served as the development director of a community counseling center.
- Despite initial claims of private practice in Marylebone, London, he later clarified that he studied at the Wright Institute of California, founded by Nevitt Sanford.
- He faced controversy over his psychotherapy degree, vehemently denying allegations and considering legal action against those he believed sought to smear him.
- Draper is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and contributes occasional columns on psychotherapy to the Mail on Sunday, Psychologies, and Therapy Today.
- In response to a formal complaint, the BACP affirmed his membership, specifying his qualifications, including an M.A. in Psychology from the Wright Institute and a second M.A. in the Foundations of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from the Tavistock Centre, London / Essex University.
- Draper, who urged tactical voting against Labour during the 2005 general election, found himself embroiled in an email scandal in 2009 when leaked emails revealed Peter Mandelson's highly critical remarks about Gordon Brown.
- In 2008, Derek reentered British politics as a Labour Campaign Advisor, serving as an unpaid adviser to Ray Collins, the General Secretary of the Labour Party at the time.
- He also founded and edited the LabourList website in January 2009, aiming to establish a platform for Labour supporters in the blogosphere.
- Despite generally supporting the Labour Party, the website claimed to feature critical articles about the Labour government.
- However, controversy arose when it was revealed that Gordon Brown's special adviser, Damian McBride, had exchanged emails with Draper discussing plans to create a blog spreading false rumors about the private lives of prominent Conservative figures. McBride resigned, and Downing Street issued an apology for the inappropriate emails.
- Draper later apologized, citing a desire to gain favor for LabourList, but faced calls to resign.
- In May, he stepped down as the editor of LabourList, expressing regret for his involvement in the incident.
- He is the author of two books, "Blair's 100 Days" and "Life Support".
Net Worth
Derek Draper, a former lobbyist primarily associated with the Labour Party, has an estimated net worth of $3 million in 2023. His main source of wealth comes from his political career. With an annual salary of around $1 million, he is leading a comfortable lifestyle. On the other side, the net worth of his wife, Kate is estimated to have $2 million.
Personal Life
Derek Draper is a married man. He tied the knot to his beautiful wife, Kate Garraway. Professionally, his spouse, Kate Garraway is a TV presenter. The couple got married in the year 2005 and their wedding was held in Camden, London, UK. The couple shares two children, Darcey Mary and William. The family is leading a happy life as of now.
Body Measurements
Derek Draper is a cool and handsome man with a standing height of 1.72 m or 5 feet and 8 inches. He has a body weight of 167 lbs or 76 kg. He has an average body build with a pair of dark brown eyes and his hair color is black.
COVID-19
In March 2020, Draper was hospitalized due to COVID-19 and was placed in an intensive care unit. Despite a ten-week period in an induced coma, he remained in critical condition, opening his eyes the following month but staying hospitalized in serious condition.
Throughout March 2021, a year after contracting the virus, he continued to receive medical care. He returned home on a trial basis in April 2021, but in May, his wife provided an update, noting his ongoing struggle and immobility caused by the aftermath of COVID-19. By September 2021, he still required round-the-clock care and slept for 20 hours a day.
Derek's wife, Garraway won a National Television Award that month for a documentary, "Finding Derek," which detailed his experience with Long COVID and its impact on their family. Seeking treatment in Mexico in February and March 2022, Draper's ability to speak remained impaired by April 2022, and he required constant care. Unfortunately, in December 2023, he was readmitted to the hospital in a very serious condition. On December 16, 2023, it was reported that Kate was by Derek’s side as he fought for his life after suffering from a huge heart attack. Kate has cancelled all TV and radio work to keep a 24-7 vigil, taking an indefinite leave of absence from presenting.
