Keir Starmer says everyone should ‘butt out’ and give Kate Middleton some privacy after abdominal surgery

21 Mar 2024 • 7:55 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Sir Keir Starmer has said everyone should “butt out” and give the Princess of Wales privacy while she recovers from her abdominal surgery.

The Labour leader said it was his “human response” as “a dad and a human being”.

Asked if he feels sorry for Kate, he told Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine: “Yes. I think that we should leave her alone.

“She’s had a difficult operation, and she deserves privacy.”

He added: “We should just butt out and leave her alone… That’s not really a political response, it’s a human response, as a dad and a human being.”

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Earlier, health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom told Sky News that the attempt to access the Princess of Wales’ records were “completely outrageous”, adding: “Obviously, it is a matter for the Information Commissioner but it is the case that every patient has the right to their privacy.”

The UK privacy and data protection watchdog said it had received a breach report and is “assessing” the information.

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The reports have emerged 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 reportedly seen this week seen with her husband at the Windsor Farm Shop close to their Adelaide cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

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