Draper's emailed reply shows the plot was far more advanced, with Draper knowing that the controversial Red Rag blogsite had already been set up and offering to sort out the technology with trade union official Andrew Dodgshon. In the wake of the incident, Labour sought to distance itself from Draper's LabourList blog, saying that his website is not owned by the Labour Party. Draper also came under pressure to resign his post as editor of LabourList, which he did in early May, saying "I regret ever receiving the infamous email and I regret my stupid, hasty reply. I should have said straight away that the idea was wrong." Personal life Draper married television presenter Kate Garraway in 2005 in Camden, London. They have two children. COVID-19 Draper was hospitalised in March 2020, suffering from COVID-19, and admitted to an intensive care unit. As of early June 2020 he remained in critical condition after ten weeks, and was in an induced coma. The following month, he had opened his eyes, but remained in hospital in a serious condition. As of March 2021 he remained in hospital, a year on from contracting the virus. Draper returned home on a trial basis in April 2021, and in May 2021, his wife gave an update on her husband stating that he is devastated by COVID-19 and still immobile. In September 2021 his wife reported he was still receiving round-the-clock care and sleeping 20 hours a day. He received treatment in Mexico in February and March 2022, however Draper's wife has decided to keep details private. She revealed in April 2022 that Draper was struggling to speak: "he can understand, sometimes do odd words, but can't express himself." Draper still requires round-the-clock care as of April 2022. References External links Draper's personal website Labour List Journalisted – Articles by Derek Draper 1967 births Living people Alumni of the University of Manchester British male journalists Daily Mail journalists Labour Party (UK) officials People from Chorley New Labour British political consultants British lobbyists