Coronavirus: Hospital chief gets death threat after Ross Kemp documentary filmed in Covid-19 wards

‘I do not tolerate abuse and violence against NHS staff and I will call it out’

A hospital chief has received a death threat after giving Ross Kemp behind the scenes access to Covid-19 patients for a documentary.

Joe Harrison, chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital, said he does not “tolerate abuse and violence against NHS staff” and “will call it out” after revealing he had reported the threat to police.

The hospital in Buckinghamshire was forced to defend its decision to allow the EastEnders star and a film crew onto its wards for ITV series Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline after it attracted criticism on Twitter.

Many people questioned why they had been allowed inside the hospital when relatives were restricted from visiting loved ones, and why film crews with personal protective equipment (PPE) were not donating it to the NHS.

And while some claimed Mr Kemp and ITV were “acting like vultures” after the first episode aired on 16 April, many others praised them for showing the hard work and dedication of NHS staff.

The hospital defended its decision at the time, saying it believed it was in the public interest to show a "true picture of what’s happening in hospitals like ours up and down the country”.

Announcing he had been sent a death threat on Wednesday, Mr Harrison wrote on Twitter: “Today I received a death threat as CEO @MKHospital.

“I have never been concerned about giving media access to the hospital I am privileged to lead, because I am proud of my staff and the care we provide.

“Today I worried. I guess that’s what these threats are designed to do.

“The threat came as a response to media access. I have reported to police.

“I welcome debate and will listen to feedback on any issue. Threats like this aren’t debate. They are meant to frighten and control.

“I do not tolerate abuse and violence against NHS staff and I will call it out.”

Thames Valley Police has been contacted for comment.