Derek Draper

Derek William Draper (born 15 August 1967) is a former lobbyist, former editor of the LabourList website, and psychotherapist. As a political advisor during the 1990s he became widely known for his role in two political scandals, "Lobbygate" and "Smeargate". Born in Chorley, Lancashire, Draper was educated at Southlands High School in Chorley, graduating in 1984. He later attended Runshaw College, Leyland and the University of Manchester. While at the university, Draper provided hospitality for Ken Livingstone, who had missed his train after a Labour Club meeting. Livingstone was reportedly astonished to find displayed in Draper's student room an improbable large poster of Labour Party deputy leader, Roy Hattersley. At around this...