KATE PROBE
Cops asked to probe claims staff tried to view Kate Middleton’s medical records, health minister reveals
Kate was made aware of the breach, it is understood
COPS have been asked to probe claims that staff tried to view Princess Kate's private medical records at The London Clinic, a minister has revealed.
The "major security breach" is alleged to have taken place while the Princess of Wales was a patient at the hospital in January.
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At least one member of staff was allegedly caught trying to access Kate's medical records during her stay, the reports.
It is a criminal offence for any staff in an NHS or private healthcare setting to access the medical records of a patient without the consent of the organisation’s data controller.
Health minister Maria Caulfield has this morning said there are "hefty implications" for anyone who attempts to go through patients' notes.
Speaking on LBC radio, she said: "I say this as someone who's still on the nursing register, that the rules are very, very clear for all patients.
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"That unless you're looking after that patient, or unless they've given you their consent, you should not be looking at patients' notes.
"So there are rules in place and the Information Commissioner can levy fines, that can be prosecutions, your regulator - so as a nurse my regulator would be the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) - can take enforcement action."
Asked if the police should look into the matter, she said: "My understanding is that police have been asked to look at it - whether they take action is a matter for them.
"But the Information Commissioner can also take prosecutions, can also issue fines, the NMC, other health regulators can strike you off the register if the breach is serious enough.
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"So there are particularly hefty implications if you are looking at notes for medical records that you should not be looking at."
It comes after the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) launched a probe into the suspected breach.
Kate looks 'healthy & happy to be out' in 'jaw-dropping' video, reveals body language expert
Officials confirmed the ICO had received a report and is "assessing the information provided".
An insider said: "This is a major security breach and incredibly damaging for the hospital, given its unblemished reputation for treating members of the Royal Family.
"Senior hospital bosses contacted Kensington Palace immediately after the incident was brought to their attention.
"They assured the palace there would be a full investigation."
Kate is understood to have been made aware of the alleged security breach.
The London Clinic refused to comment on the alleged incident.
But a spokesperson said: "We firmly believe that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information."
Kensington Palace said: “This is a matter for The London Clinic.”
The hospital treats many members of the Royal Family and were caring for King Charles at the same time as Kate was a patient.
SHOPPING TRIP
Kate has been at the centre of wild speculation and conspiracy theories over her health ever since her planned abdominal surgery in January.
A member of the public who filmed Kate shopping with William said he saw the Princess of Wales “with my own eyes” looking relaxed in Windsor.
Nelson Silva, 40, told trolls: “What more do you need to lay off her?”
Despite The Sun releasing Nelson’s exclusive video of her at Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday lunchtime, trolls were still pushing their bizarre claims yesterday.
Incredibly, some said it was a Kate lookalike while others claimed the woman in the footage was too tall to be Kate.
Another crazy claim was that the footage was taken in December as there are “Christmas decorations” in the background.
In under 24 hours the body-double rumours racked up more than 12million views on X/Twitter, and more than 11million on TikTok.
Engineer Nelson blasted the conspiracy theorists as “delusional”.
Speaking from the home he shares with his wife and daughter in the town, he said: “I’m not so much shocked that these comments have continued, I’m just confused how exactly they can continue.
“This is a video clearly showing her and William. I saw them with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation.
“What more do you need to lay off her? I thought after this was released they’d go quiet. But these people are so invested in the drama now.
“They’ve put so much time and energy into these rumours and lies that they can’t pull the plug.
"Even famous people are guilty. People with a large platform online — they can’t admit they are wrong now because they look so delusional.”
Accounts in the US are dedicated to posting about Kate hourly. They often bear X’s blue tick checkmark of “authenticity”, which can be bought to ensure content is more prominent.
One TikToker posting from the US got 2.9 million viewers with her body-double video claims.
Nelson, 40, added: “People across The Pond are invested and they must never have laid eyes on Kate in real life.
"But all these people in the UK too, they say it’s not her, that is it a fake person.
“Well I can tell you it is not. Are they now going to question if I’m a real person as well?
“Are they going to say I made this video? Did I put a fake Kate there? It is ridiculous.
“At what point will they back off and realise they have been caught up in something that is crazy?”
'Lay off Kate'
THE Sun last week led the way in defending Princess Kate when she was being criticised from all angles over the edited photo saga.
Social media trolls were quick to attack the future Queen over her editing of a Mother’s Day family picture.
Media critics also weighed in with their opinions alongside the idiotic conspiracy theorists, but The Sun stood alone in saying: Lay off Kate.
Our front page blasted: “The furious attacks on the future Queen over her photoshopping of a Mother’s Day family picture are not just absurd.
“They now look like a bullying campaign against a devoted mum, recovering from a serious operation, who simply wanted to offer the public a perfect portrait of her and her kids.
“She meant well, made a mistake and fessed up. Fair enough.
“Now leave her alone to get over her op.”
Nelson had been shopping for steak when he saw the royal couple.
He said they looked “relaxed and happy”, adding: “I had about 40 minutes to kill and decided to get some produce. I went into the shop and at first I noticed their figures, they were standing near the bread.
"Then I saw Kate turn her head slightly, I was like, ‘Oh I know her’. They went to the meat section and I was stood behind them. They were talking to staff and laughing.
“I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the staff seemed overwhelmed in a nice way. When I went to pay for my produce, the girl at the counter was so shocked she was hardly breathing.
“Everyone in there was very excited. It was a really nice atmosphere. I went to the car and decided to take a video to share with my family in Portugal.
“I started to record as they (Kate and William) walked towards the car park. They just looked very happy and relaxed together.
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“William was obviously protective of Kate and I quickly stopped recording because I didn’t want to make them uncomfortable.
"They walked towards fields at the back. I guess they could get back on to the Windsor estate that way.”
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