Divorce looms as police called to Ben and Kate Goldsmith home

The youngest son of the late billionaire Sir James Goldsmith was arrested by police for hitting his wife after discovering text messages that suggested she was having an affair with an American rapper.

Ben Goldsmith, 31, was arrested on suspicion of assault and later cautioned following a furious argument with his wife, Kate, a music producer and member of the Rothschild banking dynasty. He is said to have slapped his wife and kicked a child's toy, which struck her on the leg.

His wife, 30, called police at 8am last Wednesday and Mr Goldsmith was arrested at their Kensington home. He was taken to a west London police station, where he accepted a caution.

The multimillionaire green investor and Tory donor is filing for divorce on the grounds of adultery after discovering text messages and emails that his wife had exchanged with the rapper, Jay Electronica.

Mr Goldsmith has moved out of the family home. "He feels extremely wobbly, humiliated and is at the same time trying to look after his children," said a friend, Charlie Methven.

The break-up is the latest complicated twist in relations between the two wealthy families. Zac Goldsmith, Ben's older brother and the Conservative MP for Richmond, ended his own marriage, reputedly after having an affair with Kate's younger sister.