Earl Spencer Supports Partner After Privacy Battle

Earl Spencer has publicly praised his partner, Professor Cat Jarman, for her ‘quiet courage’ as a legal battle concerning her medical privacy reached its conclusion. The dispute centered on Professor Jarman’s claim that Earl Spencer’s estranged wife, Karen Spencer, disclosed her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) without her consent.

Background of the Dispute

The High Court case concluded in December with a settlement. While the countess did not admit liability, she agreed to an indemnity from Earl Spencer as part of their divorce proceedings. Disagreements over a statement to be read in court initially delayed the final resolution.

Professor Jarman’s Statement

Today, Professor Jarman’s lawyer presented a two-page statement in open court. The statement detailed her distress over the breach of medical confidentiality and her disappointment at the lack of admission of wrongdoing. It emphasized her right to control sensitive health information.

Professor Jarman explained her initial reluctance to publicize her MS diagnosis due to fears of discrimination. She also described her subsequent decision to raise awareness of the condition, working with Earl Spencer and the MS Society.

Details of the Disclosure

The court heard that the countess first learned of Professor Jarman’s MS diagnosis in April 2024 through a conversation with Professor Jarman’s former husband, Tom Jarman. Professor Jarman had intentionally limited disclosure of her diagnosis to a small circle.

Reactions and Statements

Following the hearing, Professor Jarman explained her motivation for delivering the statement – to safeguard medical privacy rights, particularly during MS Awareness Week. Earl Spencer issued a statement commending Professor Jarman’s ‘grace, integrity and quiet courage’.

Earl Spencer emphasized the seriousness of MS and the right of those living with it to control disclosure of their condition. He also funded both his girlfriend’s legal battle and his estranged wife’s costs.

Professor Jarman’s ex-husband, Tom Jarman, also released a statement expressing ‘huge personal regret’ for his initial disclosure to the countess, accusing her of ‘weaponising’ the information.

Countess’s Response

The countess’s legal representatives stated after the hearing that they considered the matter closed. While acknowledging sharing the information with close family and friends, she could not recall specifics. She expressed ‘enormous strain and anxiety’ caused by the inability to provide a definitive list of individuals informed about her condition.