Hospital staff where Kate Middleton had surgery ‘tried to access her medical records’

At least one staff member tried to access Kate’s notes while she was patient at the private London Clinic, it is claimed

The hospital at the centre of claims staff attempted to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records has vowed “all appropriate steps will be taken”.

It has been reported that an employee at the private London Clinic in Marylebone attempted to view Kate’s files while she was a patient there in January for 13 days following her abdominal surgery.

Chief executive of the London Clinic, Al Russell, said: “There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”

The UK’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is looking into the alleged royal data breach and is in the process of assessing the information.

Hospital staff could be charged with a criminal offence by the data protection watchdog and face an unlimited fine if they are found to have unlawfully accessed her records.

Health minister Maria Caulfield said it was “pretty severe and serious stuff to be accessing notes that you don’t have permission to”.

The Princess of Wales was treated at the private clinic in January (PA)

She also said police had “been asked to look at” whether staff at the clinic attempted to access the princess’s private medical records.

Caulfield was speaking after the clinic launched an investigation into the damaging claims.

The princess was admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery on 16 January and has not yet returned to royal duties.

Details of her condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that the princess wished for her personal medical information to remain private.

An Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) spokesperson said on Tuesday: “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.”

Kensington Palace said: “This is a matter for The London Clinic.”

Prince William took part in a royal engagement in Sheffield on Tuesday (PA)

Both the Metropolitan Police and The London Clinic have been approached for comment.

An insider told The Mirror that the alleged breach was “incredibly damaging” for the hospital, and senior bosses contacted royal aides immediately to assure them that there would be a full investigation.

Staff have reportedly been left “utterly shocked and distraught” that a colleague may have been responsible for the breach of trust and ethics.

It comes as the social media frenzy around Kate’s health, absence from public life and a doctored photo issued on Mother’s Day continues.

Kate was this week seen with her husband at the Windsor Farm Shop close to their Adelaide cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Nelson Silva, 40, who filmed Kate shopping, told The Sun he believes the conspiracy theorists are “delusional”.

He said: “I’m not so much shocked that these comments have continued, I’m just confused how exactly they can continue.

Picture agencies issued a ‘kill notice’ after concerns were raised that the family picture had been manipulated (Prince of Wales )

“This is a video clearly showing her and William. I saw them with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation.”

The royal couple also spent Sunday morning watching Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis taking part in a sporting event, according to the newspaper.

The future Queen has been photographed in public twice since her operation.

Downing Street meanwhile urged the public to “get behind” Kate as she recovers amid a flurry of conspiracy theories about her health.

Following the allegations about the medical records, the UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report.

The couple have been under the spotlight following Kate’s surgery (Getty)

An Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) spokesperson said on Tuesday: “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided.”

Both the Metropolitan Police and The London Clinic have been approached for comment.