Princess Kate ‘hack’ scandal deepens as hospital probed for ‘delaying breach report by a week’ as 3 workers investigated
PRINCESS Kate’s alleged hacking scandal has deepened as the hospital is now probed for delaying the breach report by a week.
Three workers from The London Clinic are currently being investigated over claims they tried to access the royal’s medical records during her stay in January.
Kate was admitted to the prestigious private hospital for planned abdominal surgery just days before King Charles also underwent an enlarged prostate procedure at the facility.
The alleged breach is said to have taken place after Kate was discharged on January 29.
It was yesterday announced a probe into the suspected breach was launched by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
They confirmed it has received a report and is “assessing the information provided”.
The privacy watchdog has today said their investigation will include concerns that the clinic didn’t report the “major security breach” when it should have.
Official guidance from the ICO is that personal data breaches must be reported within 72 hours.
King Charles’s medical records were not accessed in the alleged breach, it has been reported.
Health minister Maria Caulfield said police have “been asked to look at” the allegations.
The Clinic could face a £17.5million fine over the alleged data breach, a medical privacy expert told The Sun.
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.
Claims have reportedly sent shockwaves through The London Clinic leaving medics distraught at the “breach of trust and ethics”.
Kate was admitted to the clinic for her planned procedure on January 16.
Her father-in-law King Charles was then admitted the following week for an enlarged prostate.
An insider told the Mirror: “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 and assured the palace there would be a full investigation.
“The whole medical staff have been left utterly shocked and distraught over the allegations and were very hurt that a trusted colleague could have possibly been responsible for such a breach of trust and ethics.”
The London Clinic‘s chief executive, Al Russell, earlier said “all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken” when looking at alleged data breaches.
'King Charles' medical records not accessed'
King Charles’s medical records were not accessed in the alleged breach, it has been reported.
Charles was treated at The London Clinic during the same time period as Kate.
He was admitted one week after Kate, for an enlarged prostate operation.
Both Kate and Charles were sent home on January 29.
Following his stay and procedure, a type of cancer was found and Charles was given the diagnosis.
Buckingham Palace announced the Monarch’s health update shortly after.
But it is understood the security of Charles’ personal data was not breached, according to a source.
In the statement, he said: “Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.
“We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.
“We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.
“There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
SHOPPING TRIP
The news comes as the dad who filmed Kate shopping with William last weekend has told conspiracy theorist trolls: “What more do you need to lay off her?”
Nelson Silva, 40, saw Kate “with my own eyes” looking relaxed in Windsor.
But yesterday trolls were still pushing their bizarre claims — despite The Sun releasing Nelson’s exclusive video of her at Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday lunchtime.
Incredibly, some said it was a Kate lookalike. Others that it was too tall to be her.
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.”
Timeline of royal health battles
HERE is a date-by-date rundown of the health battles to have struck the Royals this year
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.
JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.
JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen.
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer.
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week.
JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment.
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day.
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”.
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer, but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties.
FEB 18: The King appears in good spirits as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham.
FEB 23: The King filmed crying and chuckling while opening some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers.
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health.
MARCH 4: Kate Middleton pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate.