Speaking on behalf of its members, the GMB Union has said they have been left angry and dismayed at the news that whilst Kate Josephs was the director general for the Covid taskforce within the cabinet office, she gathered with colleagues to have drinks to mark her leaving the civil service in December 2020 - whilst strict lockdown restrictions were in force. 

The now chief executive of Sheffield City Council has put out an email to all staff on Friday, 14 January which said, “I am truly sorry”. 

In response to the statement, GMB organiser, Deanne Ferguson, who represents GMB members in Sheffield, said: 

  “Our members and the people of Sheffield deserve better than this.  

“They are rightly angry and upset and want answers. 

 “Many of our members risked their own lives during lockdown to ensure frontline key services were still operational. 

 “Our social care members worked with limited PPE and long hours, at risk to their own health and well-being, to keep the sick and vulnerable cared for. 

 “Schools were forced to close; many people lost their jobs and families lost loved ones. 

 “Members have suffered greatly and continue to suffer with the lasting memory of not being by the side of a lost family member when they died, unable to attend funerals, unable to say goodbye in a peaceful and dignified way. 

 “So, whilst we must wait for the outcome of the investigation, our members are left feeling dismayed with the “I am truly sorry” statement and desperately await answers.”