ProNurse

By Mark Aitken Political Editor

A hacker attack on the health records of Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond has sparked a huge security alert.

Confidential computer files on the Prime Minister and Holyrood’s First Minister were illegally targeted along with the records of scores of other high-profile Scots.

We can reveal former Labour leader Jack McConnell and his culture chief wife Bridget have also had their sensitive files hacked.

BBC stars, including newsreader Jackie Bird, and Old Firm footballers have also been victims.

NHS Fife doctor Andrew Jamieson has been charged and appeared on petition at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

The breach was discovered on a national database called the Emergency Care Summary system, which holds the details of 2.5million people in Scotland.

It contains personal data such as names, ages, addresses, current medication and any adverse reactions to prescribed medicines.

NHS staff have to ask patients’ permission before they can look at the ECS, except if a patient is unconscious or unable to give consent. It was launched in 2006 with the promise that the system was protected using the “highest standards of security”.

One senior politician affected said: "The motives involved don’t appear to be very sinister and they appear to be completely random. The only thing linking them all is that they are famous or have a high public profile.

"Everyone affected has been informed by letter. There does not appear to be any suggestion of the information being used for anyone’s financial or personal gain.

“I was very reassured by the fact the health service quickly spotted this intrusion and dealt with it. It speaks volumes for the way the system is run.”

The letters sent by NHS Fife explained the investigation against one of their doctors and offered an apology. All Scottish health boards were advised to review procedures following the incident.

Jamieson, 42, appeared on petition at Dunfermline on December 22 charged with contravention of the Data Protection Act.

He made no plea or declaration and is due back in court later this year.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “This is a matter for the authorities.”

The First Minister’s official spokesman declined to comment and McConnell was unavailable.

A NHS Fife spokesman said: “We have no comment to make.”

‘There appears to be no suggestion of personal gain’ – A senior politician yesterday

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