Earl Spencer's new partner is suing his estranged wife

The new partner of Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, has revealed that she has multiple sclerosis, and has filed a lawsuit against his estranged wife for allegedly spreading the private diagnosis.

- TARA COBHAM

Dr Cat Jarman and Countess Spencer are preparing for a High Court clash after the archaeologist accused the countess of revealing her medical diagnosis without consent.

The alleged disclosures include Lord Spencer, staff at his Althorp estate, one of Dr Jarman’s TV colleagues, the countess’s personal trainer, and teachers at the Spencers’ daughter’s private school. It is understood that Lady Spencer denies these claims.

Speaking about her diagnosis for the first time on Wednesday, archaeologist Dr Jarman said: “I have multiple sclerosis. I was diagnosed eight years ago, when I was in the final stages of doing my PhD. I woke one morning with crippling pins and needles, shooting pains in my spine, as if I was being tasered.”