The investigation into the hacking of the Princess of Wales’s medical information is advancing by leaps and bounds. The London Clinic, a reference center for celebrities, aristocrats and businessmen, puts its prestige at stake and there is no room for error or delay. This Wednesday, just 24 hours after the scandal came to light, senior officials at the clinic already have three workers In the spotlight: “They have been suspended pending the completion of the investigation.”
The clinic, which informed Kensington Palace of what happened, requested the help of the Information Commissioner’s Office and the MET. According to Daily Mailthe Minister of Health, Maria Caulfield, stated that “has asked the Metropolitan Police to examine the evidence”although those responsible for it assure that they are not aware of any referral so far.
The executive director of the clinic, Al Russell, issued a statement Thursday promising that “all appropriate investigative, regulatory and disciplinary measures will be taken” while the data breach is investigated. “We are all very aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties regarding patient confidentiality. We are very proud of the excellent care and discretion we aim to provide to all of our patients who rely on us every day.” He has also explained that London Clinic has systems to monitor the management of patient information: “There is no place in our hospital for those who intentionally violate the trust of any of our patients or colleagues.”
For its part, the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) has admitted: “We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are evaluating the information provided”. He added: “It will treat any matter as a criminal matter which could end up in a lower court, but if there were further allegations of wrongdoing such as a conspiracy to distribute information that had been accessed illegally, then that could be a matter for the police”.
“A shock in the palace”
Ingrid Seward, royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told the Mirror that the news will have been “a shock for the palace, a shock for the princess and a shock for her husband and father-in-law”, who was operated on in the same hospital a few days later and whose medical records, by the way, have not been hacked. Regarding the princess’s condition, he assured: “She is much stronger than she seems. She will not allow her battered emotions to take over her.”
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