The son of the missing Earl of Shaftesbury has spoken of his shock and realisation that he may never see his father again.

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, Lord Ashley, said his family's worst fears seem to have been confirmed since his father disappeared.

The earl has not been seen since he failed to return to his home in Hove after vanishing from the Noga Hilton on the Cannes on November 6.

Both his estranged wife, Jamila M'Barek, and her brother, Mohammed, have been placed under investigation for murder by authorities in France.

The pair are accused of murder, although the earl's body has not been found.

Sussex Police, which sent officers to help French detectives in their search for the earl in the days after his disappearance, yesterday released a statement from his son.

He said: "My family and I have been advised of the recent developments in the investigation into my father's disappearance.

"These developments tend to confirm what we always feared but hoped would not be the case.

"We would like to thank the French Judiciare and Sussex Police for their continuing efforts in this difficult case.

"I am still taking stock of the situation and the realisation that I will not see my father again.

"We would also request that respect is given to a man who it is now believed was tragically murdered by those he trusted and loved."