Connery wins battle over £2.8m loan to friend

SIR Sean Connery has won a multi-million-pound court battle over a business deal which turned sour.

Judges in Geneva today ruled there was no case for Sir Sean to answer after the 78-year-old actor was accused of profiting from jewels and villas which once belonged to a close friend.

Sir Sean had allegedly lent £2.8million to French businessman Jean-René Canela, who died in 2002, to develop property in the Cote d'Azur. In exchange, Mr Canela gave as security a £7million portfolio of gems, property and art.

Mr Canela's family claimed this would now be worth £35million and asked "for all profits from the diamonds and property to be handed back". Sir Sean, who lives in tax exile in the Bahamas, denied any impropriety and his lawyers argued he had paid all his dues.