Kate Garraway last night accused a London council of making “troubling” demands about her late husband Derek Draper.
Political lobbyist Derek died aged 56 in January, weeks after suffering a heart attack before Christmas following his courageous battle with Covid-19.
Three months after her husband’s death, Kate says Haringey Council, north London, is still sending Derek “demanding” letters which she says he “obviously can’t respond to”.
The grieving Good Morning Britain presenter became angry with the council and demanded help after claiming she spent “ten days” trying to speak to a manager.
The 56-year-old wrote on requests that he obviously cannot respond to.
“I just can’t get through it. Even today, almost 50 minutes of waiting.
Kate Garraway last night accused a London council of making “troubling” demands about her late husband Derek Draper. The pair are pictured smiling at each other while filming Derek’s Story, which documents the last year of his life.
Kate claims Haringey Council (pictured), in north London, is still sending Derek letters which she says he “obviously can’t respond to”.
Political lobbyist Derek Draper (pictured) died in January aged 56 after a long battle with Covid-19.
Good Morning Britain host Kate, 56, took to social media on Tuesday to express her frustration with Haringey Council and beg for help.
After finally getting through to someone, she says she was sent “straight back to the beginning.” She said she was then put on hold for another 20 minutes before the call was cut off at 5 p.m.
Visibly angry at the lack of response, she added: “Is there a bereavement service or SOMETHING!!!!
Kate did not specify what the position was about or what “requests” were being made.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Kate and Haringey Council for comment.
The council finally responded to him this morning on X, formerly Twitter – 17 hours after his own messages.
The local authority told the site: “Hello Kate. I am sorry to hear that. Please send us a DM and provide your request details and contact details and I’ll see what I can do to help. THANKS.’
Fans rallied to his support, with one insisting: “This is so wrong on every level!” Kate has enough on her plate, answer her now.
Another posted: “This is just typical. What a terrible thing to experience after everything that happened to your family. I’m so sorry for you Kate.
He was also told, “Do these people literally have nothing better to do? What could be so important? They shouldn’t send you stressful letters.
Derek was among the first in the UK to become seriously ill with Covid-19 and was admitted to an intensive care unit when the country went into lockdown in March 2020.
He was one of the country’s most enduring Covid patients after being hospitalized, but he never fully recovered after the virus caused lasting damage to his organs and meant he needed 24-hour care of 24. He suffered a heart attack before Christmas and died on January 3.
Kate could face staggering costs of up to £800,000 for all the care provided to her late husband Derek Draper.
Presenter Kate spoke candidly about losing her husband and also opened up about her perilous financial situation.
Derek’s final moments were shown in the documentary, which also shows him speaking on camera about his fight for the first time.
Presenter Kate spoke candidly about losing her husband and also opened up about her perilous financial situation.
In the ITV documentary Derek’s Story – which was filmed while he was still alive – she says his care cost £16,000 a month.
In a moving admission of the couple’s dire finances, she said: “Derek’s care costs more than my ITV salary and that’s before paying a mortgage, before paying household bills, before paying anything it is for children, so we are at a critical point.
“I am in debt. I can’t make enough money to cover my debt because I’m managing Derek’s care and I can’t even use the money I have to support Derek’s recovery because he’s focused all the time on the essential.
Kate – who owes between £500,000 and £800,000 – told The Times last month: ‘Derek’s needs were clearly so great, but he didn’t warrant funded care – so you think: ‘If he doesn’t get it not, so who is he? ?”
“To be fair to them, no one has contacted me since his death to ask me this. They may still do it, but that’s not the case yet.
“I have not yet addressed the broader issue of other calls, as I am still in survival mode. It’s supposed to be a system to catch you if you fall. But actually, I feel like he’s trying to surprise you.
Derek’s final moments were shown in the documentary, which also shows him speaking on camera about his fight for the first time.
He “really wanted to have his say” despite his illness which left him with very limited power of expression, according to The Sun.
The touching ITV documentary captured emotional moments alongside his children and beloved wife Kate as he courageously battled the illness after four years.
A poignant moment in the documentary’s trailer shows the former political advisor lying in bed as he writes on his notepad.
During a heartbreaking moment in the clip, Derek said: “My name is Derek Draper, I want you to hear my story.”
The GMB host sat up in bed and asked: “You wrote that Covid changed everything. Do you mean for you? ”, while Derek replied: “Yes. »
A source told the publication: “Derek really wanted to make this documentary and have his say. It was incredibly brave of him to let cameras into his home.
Speaking to co-host Ed Balls on Good Morning Britain, Kate admitted she “can’t really believe” Derek isn’t with her to “watch her story”.
“It was quite emotional actually. It makes you want to jump on the screen and give it a hug.
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