A man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to remove a coronavirus patient from East Surrey Hospital.

A video filmed by the suspect and shared online shows him making discredited claims about Covid-19 and arguing with doctors who say the patient will die without their care.

In a statement, Michael Wilson, chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
“Any suggestion that Covid-19 doesn’t exist or isn’t serious is not only extremely disrespectful to the NHS staff caring for patients affected by the virus, but it also puts the lives of others at risk.”

East Surrey Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey said:
“We would like to speak to Hayden-Leigh in connection with this incident, and the escalating abusive and threatening comments being made towards hospital staff on social media. These comments are extremely concerning, and are obviously causing considerable distress for those who are being targeted.

“He came into close proximity with a patient who remains seriously ill with Covid and may well have contracted the virus himself.”

The 45-year old from Maidstone is currently in custody on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.

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