Goldsmith in fight against cancer

Sir James Goldsmith is fighting a secret battle against cancer, friends confirmed today.

The billionaire leader of the Referendum Party is seriously ill after being admitted to a hospital outside Paris, according to reports.

Sir James, 64, is suffering from pancreatic cancer, which first appeared in 1993 but has now returned.

A friend said: "It is true, Sir James has pancreatic cancer. His family are taking stock of the situation and are helping him battle it."

Sir James has only told a small circle of relatives and friends about the illness, which forced him to make contingency plans during the general election campaign in case his condition deteriorated before polling day.

His daughter Jemima is believed to have visited him in hospital on her way to join her husband Imran Khan in Pakistan, where the former cricketer runs a cancer hospital for the poor.

The Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, both friends of the family, are understood to have been kept informed of Sir James's progress.