James Goldsmith was a financier.
He was given a knighthood in Harold Wilson's resignation honours list of 1976. Many Labour members were disgusted at this as Goldsmith was said to be a Conservative supporter.
In July 1976 Private Eye editor Richard Ingrams was sent to trial on criminal libel charges brought by James Goldsmith.
In July 1983 Private Eye paid him �85,000 libel damages and costs. Goldsmith was also owner/founder of NOW! magazine, which folded in April 1981 after less than 2 years of publication.