Police ‘investigate’ Kate medical breach as lookalike denies farm shop photo – live

Health minister Maria Caulfield said it would be “very disappointing” if the Princess of Wales’s notes had been accessed.

She told Sky News that it is “pretty serious stuff to be accessing notes that you don’t have permission to”.

She said: “Just to reassure your viewers, these rules apply to all patients, so there are very strict rules about which patient notes you can access.

“You’re only allowed to access the patient notes you’re caring for, and with their permission, and there’s really strict rules.

“The Information Commissioner would take enforcement action against trusts or primary care practices, but also, as individual practitioners, your regulatory body… would take action as well.

“So it’s pretty severe, and it’s pretty serious stuff to be accessing notes that you don’t have permission to.”

Ms Caulfield added: “From a health perspective, it’s not acceptable to be looking at people’s notes, but it has been spotted and action has been taken so people can be reassured that if it does happen – particularly with electronic notes these days, it’s spotted pretty quickly if someone’s accessing notes that they shouldn’t be.”

The UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report.

Heidi Agan even provided an alibi for where she was when the video was taken as she called on people to stop stirring up speculation that she says has sent her own social media channel “crazy”.

The 43-year-old, who has been impersonating Kate for 12 years, said that while the royal couple had been visiting Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday, she had been working as a teacher at a dance and musical theatre group.

Mr Kimmel joined in the saga on his late-night show on Tuesday night and compared her absence to that of Donald Trump’s wife.

Health minister Maria Caulfield said there are hefty implications” for accessing the notes without permission, including prosecution or fines.

Speaking on LBC radio on Wednesday, Ms Caulfield said: “I say this as someone who’s still on the nursing register, that the rules are very, very clear for all patients.

“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.

“So there are particularly hefty implications if you are looking at notes for medical records that you should not be looking at.”

Police have “been asked to look at” whether staff at The London Clinic attempted to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records, a health minister has said.

Maria Caulfield said there could be “hefty implications” for accessing the notes without permission, including prosecution or fines.

According to The Mirror, an investigation has been launched at the private central London hospital after at least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient there in January.

The eyes of the world are once again on the top private hospital in London known for treating royalty, politicians and actors.

But this time the clinic will not welcome the attention after it was claimed that staff tried to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records.

Kate, 42, received abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January.

The King, who is undergoing treatment for a form of cancer, was also treated at the centre for an enlarged prostate.

With such a high-profile roster of patients, discretion will be a top priority for the clinic.

Since Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January, she has rarely been seen in public, prompting numerous conspiracy theories about her whereabouts.

Psychology lecturer and conspiracy expert Darel Cookson has explained the reasons behind these going viral.

In an interview with Sky News on Tuesday (19 March), Ms Cookson said: “The exposure online is phenomenal. So many people are seeing this. They see it from different sources and are more likely to take it on board.

“Research also tends to show that if we see people we relate to and know sharing conspiracy theories then we are more likely to believe them.”

Joe Lycett was among the comedians who made reference to the Princess of Wales’ absence from public life at a charity comedy event at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Birmingham comedian was joined by a host of British stand-ups including Kevin Bridges, Rob Beckett and John Bishop for the fundraising gig in aid of the Teenager Cancer Trust.

Before his set, Lycett briefly came down to the audience to experience their view as he noted he had never been to the venue, which is closely linked to the royal family.

As he received assistance from security to get back on the stage, he joked “I feel like a royal“, before quickly adding “Where is she?” causing the audience to bust into laughter.

He added: “Wrong place to say that I imagine. Do tweet me with any guesses.”

Later in the night, stand-up Paul Chowdhry joked about his confusion at people who severely edit their images on dating apps and later have to explain why they do not look the same in real life.

He quickly chimed in saying “who edited your pictures? Kate Middleton”, referencing the controversy after the princess personally apologised for the “confusion” over the digitally altered family photograph released by Kensington Palace.

An investigation has reportedly been launched at The London Clinic over claims staff tried to access the Princess of Wales’s private medical records.

At least one member of staff tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the private hospital in central London in January, The Mirror reported.

The princess was admitted to the hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16.

Details of Kate’s 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.

The UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report.

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.”