Earl Spencer's girlfriend Professor Cat Jarman has had her final say in a bitter privacy row over her MS diagnosis with his estranged wife Karen Spencer. The two women have been embroiled in a lengthy High Court battle after Professor Jarman, 44, accused the countess of disclosing her private medical information.
Settlement and Indemnity
In December, the countess, 53, agreed to settle the case without accepting liability on the proviso that the earl would indemnify her separately as part of her divorce payout. However, the saga dragged on as they quibbled over the wording of a statement Professor Jarman applied to have read in open court.
Statement Read in Court
Professor Jarman arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice this morning to see the statement read out in open court by her lawyer. In the brief hearing, the two-page statement was read to the largely empty Court 17 in front of a judge and a few members of the press.
The statement said she remains profoundly distressed by the disclosure of her medical information and is disappointed the countess has never admitted liability or wrongdoing. It added: 'She has brought these proceedings in order to vindicate her right to medical privacy and to secure recognition of the wrong she considers has been done to her.'
Moving On
The statement noted that Professor Jarman wishes to draw a line under the matter and move on with her life. While she had not wanted her MS diagnosis to be widely disclosed due to fear of discrimination, she has sought to deal with the situation positively by using her public profile to promote awareness of the condition. She jointly with Earl Spencer is working with the MS Society towards that aim.
Lawyers for Countess Spencer, who was not present, said after the hearing that she considers the matter closed.
Details of the Disclosure
The statement revealed that the countess first learned of the condition in late April 2024 during a private conversation with the claimant's former husband. The defendant was told highly sensitive medical information about the claimant, namely her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The claimant had made a deliberate personal choice to keep her diagnosis private and had disclosed it only to a very small group.
The statement emphasized that medical information is among the most intimate aspects of private lives, and the right to control when, how, and to whom such sensitive health data is disclosed is fundamental to human dignity and autonomy. Privacy is not a privilege but a universal human right.
Enormous Strain
The award-winning archaeologist said she was caused enormous strain and anxiety after the countess was unable to provide a list of people she had told of her MS. The countess admitted she had told a few people who were her immediate family or close friends and associates that the claimant had MS, but she was unable to recall with certainty who exactly she had informed.
After the hearing, Professor Jarman, supported by a group of friends, told the Mail she felt compelled to deliver the statement to protect medical privacy rights and chose to do so during MS awareness week.
Support from Earl and Ex-Husband
Speaking after court, the Earl praised his girlfriend for acting with grace, integrity, and quiet courage as she sought to defend her right to privacy. He said she sought only what was her right: the same right to privacy that every person deserves. Multiple sclerosis is a serious condition; its course is uncertain and its demands are significant. Those who live with it deserve complete control over when, how, and to whom they choose to disclose it.
Her ex-husband Tom Jarman, 45, also released a statement expressing huge personal regret over his disclosure to the countess. The architect said his exchange with Lady Spencer was very sensitive and private in nature and accused the countess of weaponising the issue.
Legal Costs
The declaration in court acknowledged that the Earl had made a contribution towards his girlfriend's legal action against his estranged wife by way of a formal loan. The row is estimated to have racked up costs of £2.2 million after Professor Jarman, who has been dating the earl since 2024, issued the claim in the High Court in October 2024.
Countess's Response
A spokesperson for Countess Spencer said she accepted the Part 36 Offer with no admission of liability or wrongdoing after the arbitrator in her divorce proceedings ruled that, if she did accept the offer, Earl Spencer would be required to indemnify her for the costs associated with accepting the offer and bringing the proceedings to an end. Countess Spencer has exercised restraint throughout and has limited what she has said publicly. She does not intend to discuss these matters further and considers the matter closed.
Background
The Norwegian archaeologist had accused Countess Spencer of disclosing to the earl and others without her consent that she had multiple sclerosis, which she said was a misuse of private information. In July, a court heard that both parties had reached an agreement on future estimated legal costs amounting to more than £2.2 million.
The countess agreed to settle after following the advice of an arbitrator overseeing her divorce, thought to be in its final stages. The total cost to be paid by Earl Spencer is said to be hotly disputed between the former couple, who are yet to agree on how the final sum should be calculated, according to court documents.
A spokesman for Countess Spencer said at the time the issue had been resolved in an agreed settlement, adding that the countess considers her position fully vindicated. There was no admission of liability or wrongdoing, and Earl Spencer has been ordered to pay the legal costs, which are in excess of £2 million, together with £4,500 in damages to be paid to his girlfriend Cat Jarman. Countess Spencer sincerely hopes this will mark the end of the matter.
However, Professor Jarman claimed the move as vindication of her legal action. She said as someone living with multiple sclerosis, she has the unquestionable right to decide when and how to share such sensitive details. Pursuing the claim was a necessary and principled step to protect that right, as well as her career and livelihood. The matter has now been resolved after the other party chose to settle the claim, and she regards that outcome as a clear vindication of her decision to take action.
Affair Allegations
In court documents, the countess accused her husband of having an affair with Professor Jarman, who was digging for a Roman villa at his Althorp ancestral home. She said her disclosures were entirely justified and legitimate given the way she was treated. The Canadian-born social entrepreneur became Earl Spencer's third wife in 2011, and they have an 11-year-old daughter.
The countess was informed by the earl on March 19, 2024, that their marriage was over after almost 13 years, and he did this by text message. Her defence papers said having given up her life in the US to live in rural Northamptonshire and dedicate herself to sorting out the Althorp Estate business, as well as having a child, the news was hideous for Lady Spencer. When she compared notes with Professor Jarman's ex-husband, she discovered their affair had been going on since at least November or December 2022.
During the dig, the archaeologist stayed on the Althorp estate and dined at the house. She insisted they were just friends until after the earl and countess announced their split in June 2024. Earl Spencer confirmed his relationship with Professor Jarman that October. In her legal claim, she alleges she was shocked when the countess revealed her private information to the earl.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Professor Jarman said she had worked very hard to keep her MS hidden, so only a handful of people knew, and the earl wasn't one of them. She had been seeing him romantically for only two or three months and still hadn't told him. She alleges Earl Spencer's wife found out from someone close to her and told her husband.
