Kate Garraway last night accused a London council of making “disturbing” demands on her late husband Derek Draper.
Political lobbyist Derek died aged 56 in January, weeks after suffering a heart attack before Christmas following his brave battle against Covid-19.
Now, three months after her husband’s death, Kate claims that Haringey Council, north London, continues to send Derek “demanding” letters to which she says he “obviously cannot respond”.
The distraught Good Morning Britain presenter raged at the advice and called for help after claiming she had spent “ten days” trying to speak to an official.
The 56-year-old wrote on X/Twitter: ‘@haringeycouncil – please help – been trying for ten days. [sic] to talk to someone about my husband’s passing, after a disturbing post with demands he obviously can’t respond to.
‘I just can’t communicate. Today again we have to wait almost 50 minutes.’
Kate Garraway last night accused a London council of making “disturbing” demands on her late husband Derek Draper. The couple is seen smiling at each other during the filming of Derek’s Story, which documented the last year of her life.
Kate claims that Haringey Council (pictured), in north London, still sends letters to Derek which she says he “obviously cannot respond to”.
Political lobbyist Derek Draper (pictured) died in January aged 56 after a long battle with Covid-19.
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, 56, took to social media on Tuesday to express her frustration with Haringey Council and plead for their help.
After finally managing to get through to someone, she claims she was taken “straight to the beginning.” She was then put on hold for another 20 minutes before the call was disconnected at 5 p.m.
Visibly angry at the lack of response, she added: “Is there a bereavement service or ANYTHING!!!!”
Kate did not clarify what the post related to or what “demands” were being made.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Kate and Haringey Council for comment.
Derek was one of 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 worst Covid patients in the country after being in hospital, but never fully recovered after the virus left lasting damage to his organs and meant he needed 24-hour care. He suffered a heart attack before Christmas and died on January 3rd.
Broadcaster Kate has spoken candidly about the loss of her husband and has also spoken openly about her perilous financial situation.
In the ITV documentary Derek’s Story, which was filmed when he was still alive, she says his care cost her £16,000 a month.
In a moving admission of the couple’s difficult 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 for the children, so we are at a critical point.
Kate could have to pay a staggering sum of up to £800,000 for all the care provided to her late husband Derek Draper.
Broadcaster Kate has spoken candidly about the loss of her husband and has also spoken openly about her perilous financial situation.
Derek’s final moments were shown in the documentary, which also captured him speaking on camera about his battle for the first time.
‘I’m 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 all my time goes to the basics.
Kate, who owes between £500,000 and £800,000, said The times last month: ‘Derek’s needs were clearly very great, but it didn’t justify funded care, so you think, “If he doesn’t get it, who does?”
‘To be fair to them, no one has contacted me since he passed away to ask me that. They may still do it, but they haven’t done it yet.
‘I haven’t addressed the big picture of the new callings yet, because I’m still in survival mode. It’s supposed to be a system meant to catch you if you fall. But in reality, it feels like it’s trying to get you.
Derek’s final moments were shown in the documentary, which also captured him speaking on camera about his battle for the first time.
He really “wanted to give his opinion” even though his illness left him with very limited speech, according to Sun.
The moving ITV documentary captured emotional moments alongside his children and beloved wife Kate as he bravely battled the disease after four years.
A touching moment in the documentary’s trailer shows the former political advisor lying in bed while writing in his notebook.
During a heartbreaking moment in the clip, Derek said, “My name is Derek Draper, I want you to hear my story.”
The GMB presenter sat on his bed and asked: ‘You’ve written that Covid changed everything. You mean you?’, to which Derek replied, ‘Yes.’
A source told the publication: ‘Derek really wanted to make this documentary and give his opinion. “It was incredibly brave of him to let cameras into his house.”
Speaking to co-presenter Ed Balls on Good Morning Britain, Kate admitted she “can’t believe” Derek isn’t with her to “watch her story.”
‘It’s been quite emotional actually. It makes you want to jump on the screen and give him a hug.”