Derek Draper: the ‘cocky know-it-all’ who rebuilt his life after scandal

Former lobbyist and Labour insider reinvented himself as a therapist after twice withdrawing from politics

By his own admission Derek Draper could be a cocky know-it-all". His self-confidence was, on occasions, his undoing.

Yet even those who had some reason to be embarrassed by his behaviour recognised he had a rare ebullience. Two former prime ministers led the political tributes, with Tony Blair saying Draper was someone you always wanted on your side".