Hospital staff allegedly tried to access Kate's medical records AFTER she left the clinic amid a frenzy of online conspiracy theories

Hospital staff allegedly tried to access the Princess of Wales's medical records after she was discharged, amid a frenzy of conspiracy theories on social media.

Three employees at the London Clinic, where Kate stayed for 14 days after abdominal surgery, are said to be under investigation over the shocking data breach.

They reportedly attempted to access the 42-year-old's notes after she left the prestigious hospital on January 29.

The latest revelation comes as the Archbishop of Canterbury said that speculating about the royal's health was 'wrong' and as bad as 'village gossip'. 

The Most Rev Justin Welby said: 'I think we are obsessed by conspiracy and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news.'

Hospital staff allegedly tried to access the Princess of Wales 's medical records after she was discharged. Pictured on November 15, 2023

Three employees at the London Clinic (pictured), where Kate stayed for 14 days after abdominal surgery, are said to be under investigation over the shocking data breach

The latest revelation comes as the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Justin Welby said that speculating about the royal's health was 'wrong' and as bad as 'village gossip'

He added: 'People should be allowed to be ill, have an operation, whatever it is, and live their lives in peace without people demanding they prove something every other day.'

Blaming the internet for exacerbating the problem, he said: 'It's extremely unhealthy. It's just old-fashioned village gossip that can now go round the world in seconds and we have to turn away from that. Gossiping in that way is wrong.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also voiced concerns about the intense public scrutiny around the princess. 

During an appearance on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine show, Sir Keir was asked if he felt sorry for the royal and replied: 'Yes. I think we should leave her alone. She's had a difficult operation, and deserves privacy.'

He added: 'We should just butt out... That's not really a political response, it's a human response, as a dad and a human being.'

The King, who has cancer, was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital, but there is no suggestion his medical records were affected.

Details of Kate's condition have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that she wished her personal medical information to remain private. Pictured on December 8, 2023

Kate, 41, has not been at a public royal engagement since the Christmas Day morning service at Sandringham Church (pictured) on December 25, 2023

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'

Details of Kate's condition have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that she wished her personal medical information to remain private. 

The UK's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), is looking into the allegations. It is an offence, under the Data Protection Act 2018, for a person to obtain, disclose or retain personal data without the consent of the data controller which in this case is the London Clinic.

If the ICO finds evidence that medical records were accessed illegally, it can bring a prosecution and fine any offenders in court.

'But if there were further claims of wrongdoing such as a conspiracy to distribute illegally accessed information, then that could be a matter for the police,' a source told the Mirror.

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.'