Gareth Thomas

Former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas has settled a legal dispute with his ex-partner who accused him of 'deceptively' transmitting HIV to him.

HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that weakens the immune system. Upon finding this out, Baum "immediately" made an appointment for an HIV check with court papers saying that he was left "devasted" after finding out that was positive. In 2019, he revealed on Twitter that he had HIV, saying that he wanted to end the stigma around the condition. He said that Thomas had been HIV-negative when the relationship began and alleged that he found out the ex-captain had HIV after finding a tablet marked GSK1. Court documents stated: "On Googling the GSK1 pill, the claimant discovered that the defendant was taking antiviral HIV medication." In court papers filed last year, Baum claimed that he had been in a relationship with Thomas between 2013 and 2016.

Ian Baum sued Mr Thomas in the High Court for allegedly hiding his HIV status and “failing to take reasonable care” not to pass the virus on. Mr Thomas will pay ...

Mr Thomas said on Twitter: “In personal injury cases like this the accuser has no financial risks even if they lose, but for me winning had huge financial implications. Ian is looking forward to putting this unpleasant chapter of his life behind him.” Mr Baum said he “immediately” went to get a rapid HIV test and was “devastated” and “went into shock” when he found out he was positive.

Gareth Thomas, the former Wales and British and Irish Lion skipper, has reached a settlement with his ex-partner, Ian Baum...

“If they [people] have an educated understanding of HIV, and are still prejudiced, then they are not very nice people. I want this to reach as many people as possible,” said Thomas. The settlement, which was reached based on a non-admission of liability by Thomas, saw the 48-year-old pay Baum £75,000 plus costs.

'This is not an admission of liability or guilt. I maintain my innocence in all the meritless allegations,' Thomas said in a statement.

As the largest HIV charity in the UK said, there are no winners in HIV cases like these, and that is certainly the case. He revealed he was gay in 2009 towards the end of a distinguished playing career. Baum stated he did not have HIV when the relationship started and it was alleged that Thomas hid his HIV status. He said he had experienced issues with anxiety and alcohol following Thomas' alleged behaviour. Thomas, however, denied that he misled Baum about his HIV positive condition. "In personal injury cases like this the accuser has no financial risks even if they lose, but for me winning had huge financial implications....

The ex-Wales and Lions captain has paid Ian Baum £75000 plus costs to settle a legal case but did not admit liability.

In court papers his legal team said he "was never asked by the claimant if he was HIV-positive and he never denied that he was". In a statement made last September, Mr Thomas said: "Since the meritless allegations surfaced, I have endured a challenging torrent of abuse both online and in person. Whilst the defendant understands now that this was incorrect, it was a genuinely held belief at the material time." His defence had stated: "The defendant removed the labels to prevent others, such as family members, from seeing what medication he was taking." After discovering the pill, Mr Baum alleged that he took a rapid HIV test and received a positive result. He tweeted that he had paid Mr Baum £75,000 plus costs with no admission of liability or guilt, which he said was a fraction of what he would have had to pay to defend himself in court. To all my family, friends and supporters and sponsors, I love you and thank you xxxx." "In personal injury cases like this the accuser has no financial risks even if they lose, but for me winning had huge financial implications. The former Wales and Lions captain had been sued for £150,000 in damages by Mr Baum, who claimed Mr Thomas had failed to take "reasonable care" before allegedly passing the virus onto him. Despite Mr Thomas’ significant financial and media power, Ian stood up for himself against the odds." It adds: "Ian is looking forward to putting this unpleasant chapter of his life behind him. Ian Baum had accused Mr Thomas of hiding his HIV status during their relationship.

Ian Baum alleged that Thomas hid his HIV status and "failed to take reasonable care" in ensuring the virus would not be passed on. Thomas, 48, will pay £75,000 ...

"I am delighted to say that the legal case against me has been settled by means of a Part 36 offer. Thomas, capped 100 times by Wales, became the first openly gay professional rugby player in 2009. He revealed in 2019 that he was living with HIV and has since campaigned to raise awareness and "break the stigma" around the condition.