Earl Spencer’s girlfriend says she was forced to make health admission amid leg…
Earl Spencer’s girlfriend, Cat Jarman, has revealed she was forced to disclose her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in a newspaper interview to stop online gossip.
The Norwegian archaeologist is currently suing the Earl’s estranged wife, Countess Spencer, for misuse of private information.
Prof Jarman claims the countess told numerous friends and employees about her medical condition.
When she initially filed the High Court claim last October, details of her diagnosis remained confidential.
However, in December, Prof Jarman gave an interview to MailOnline revealing her MS diagnosis.
In newly released court documents, Prof Jarman explained she “felt compelled” to speak out as the case generated significant public speculation and was concerned about her “loss of autonomy and control” over her own medical information.
The speculation caused both Prof Jarman and her children “significant distress”, according to the documents.
As a result of her public disclosure, she has now withdrawn part of her claim that sought an injunction against Countess Spencer to prevent further disclosures.
The claimant wished to regain some of the autonomy and control over her medical information, and bring an end to the harmful speculation and gossip which had been percolating online,” the claim states.
The legal battle has laid bare deeply personal details of a marital breakdown.
Countess Spencer, who was married to the Earl for 13 years, has robustly defended herself against the allegations.
In her 11-page defence, she accused the Earl of having an affair with Prof Jarman and that Earl Spencer informed her by text message last March that their marriage was over.
The countess claimed he “completely refused” to discuss it in person or provide an explanation, describing his behaviour as “both cruel and inexplicable”.
The earl, who is Princess Diana’s brother, announced in June last year that he and the Countess were divorcing.
The countess stated that the affair “became clear” after comparing notes with Prof Jarman’s husband, Tom Jarman.
She claimed Mr Jarman told her about his wife’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
According to the Countess, this information was “volunteered” by Mr Jarman as he “plainly believed” it was relevant to his wife’s behaviour.
At no point was it suggested the diagnosis was a “secret”, she maintained.
Earl Spencer has denied the Countess’s version of events, insisting that she ended their marriage.
He stated: “The notion that I would end my marriage by text is an absurd attempt to blacken my name.
