Health records of Brown and Salmond 'hacked'

THE health records of Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond were allegedly hacked into, a newspaper claimed last night.

The Prime Minister and First Minister are among several high-profile Scots whose confidential files were allegedly accessed without their permission, according to the report.

The two leaders' medical details are on a single database set up for half of the population of Scotland three years ago, amid NHS guarantees that they were safe from prying eyes.

NHS Fife was last night reported to have warned officials across the country of the claimed breach, which is also understood to have affected footballers, former First Minister Jack McConnell and his wife Bridget.

The incident is understood to relate to previously reported claims that the details of BBC presenters including Jackie Bird were hacked into.

Some health workers have access to the database, which is called the Emergency Care Summary system, but are only supposed to look up individual patients' information with their permission, unless they are unconscious or unable to give consent. It was said to be protected using "the highest standards of security".

The system contains the names, ages, addresses and occupations of patients, as well as details of any current medication and allergies or adverse reactions to medicines. It is not understood to contain a complete medical history.

Reports yesterday cited sources who said the politicians and celebrities had apparently been picked at random and that the information allegedly uncovered had not been used for financial or personal gain.

Downing Street did not comment on the allegations last night. A spokesman for the First Minister declined to comment.

A man appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last December on petition charged with a breach of the Data Protection Act. He made no plea or declaration and is due to appear again later this year.