Gillian Keegan: Health minister who carried on meeting after positive COVID test won't be punished

The health secretary has said he accepts the apology of a minister who continued a face-to-face meeting after testing positive for COVID.

Gillian Keegan admitted on Tuesday evening that she had met with three fathers who had lost their daughters to suicide, but that during meeting she was informed a lateral flow test had shown a positive result.

Instead of isolating immediately, she continued to the meeting with "further precautions".

On Tuesday evening she tweeted: "Earlier today, ahead of a planned visit I took a precautionary LFD test which gave a positive result. I am now isolating at home and fortunately feel fine.

"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 government's rules in England currently state people who test positive for COVID must isolate "immediately".

They can then leave isolation after five full days, so long as they keep testing negative on days five and six.

Ms Keegan was meeting Mike Palmer from Greater Manchester, Andy Airey from Cumbria, and Tim Owen from Norfolk.

The trio, known as 3 Dads Walking, have raised more than £800,000 for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus.

Mr Palmer, who lost his 17-year-old daughter Beth to suicide in March 2020, told the PA news agency that Ms Keegan had “acted accordingly”, adding: “I think she acted very responsibly.”

He said Ms Keegan put a mask on, put further distance between herself and the men, and “made arrangements to leave as fast as possible”, adding: “We have no grievance or problem with the way she acted whatsoever.”

Mr Palmer added: “She doesn’t need to apologise to us in any way, shape or form. Absolutely not.”

He said the men, who are calling for more suicide education – awareness and prevention – on the curriculum, were “very pleased” with how the meeting went and they look forward to meeting Ms Keegan again in future.

Despite the error, Sajid Javid has said he continues to support her in the role of minister for care and mental health.

A spokesman for the health secretary said: “The secretary of state has spoken with the minister who has taken responsibility for her actions and made a full apology.

“He accepts her apology and continues to support her in her role.”

Asked about the incident on Wednesday morning, London mayor Sadiq Khan said he would have acted differently to the Tory MP.

He told Sky News: “I would always err on the side of caution and let people know before leaving as soon as I can.”

He concluded: “I haven’t seen the details of the case but I certainly would’ve left the meeting.”