EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Controversial 'SAS vet' Peter Malmstrom quits as director of £330million firm
He's lived life in the fast lane, competing as 'Peter Storm' and 'Peter Desert Storm' for Deuce motor racing team and numbering Lady Isabella Hervey among those on the books of Isis Model Management agency, of which he was once a director.
He also married showgirl Mandy Rice Davies's beautiful daughter Dana and survived a roller-coaster commercial career which once saw him charged with – and acquitted of – money laundering and transferring criminal property.
But, with a £330 million payday reportedly there for the taking, courtesy of his latest entrepreneurial venture in 'fintech and security', have the wheels finally come off for the remarkable Peter Malmstrom?
Nine months ago, I disclosed that Malmstrom's claim – made in a podcast last year – that he'd served 'three years with 21 Special Air Service', having first completed 'two years with the Parachute Regiment', had ignited a firestorm of anger among special forces veterans.
A Sunday newspaper subsequently pointed out that he and Floyd Woodrow were seeking to sell a ten per cent stake in their Quantum Group company for a sum which would put its total value at £330 million.
Now I can reveal that Malmstrom's just resigned as a director of Valkyrie, a company he founded under the Quantum Group umbrella with Woodrow, whose outstanding military career ended as commander of the counter-terrorist wing of the SAS.
Malmstrom, 57, declines to comment on his resignation. When the storm broke about his military record, Malmstrom received steadfast backing from Woodrow, who told me that he'd seen Malmstrom's Army paybook 'clearly stating 21 SAS'.
That startled veterans, with one telling me: 'I served as a sergeant with 21 SAS. I never possessed a paybook.'
The Royal Army Pay Corps Association tells me that paybooks were phased out by the end of 1976 – when Malmstrom was nine.
Malmstrom says his paybook contains 'personal details that I do not want to disclose into the public domain'.
Nor does he say how much of a stake he retains in Valkyrie or its parent company.
Chaplin girls' Cannes tribute to grandad
A century since Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush was first screened in Los Angeles, the classic silent comedy returned to the Cannes Film Festival ahead of a global release.
'I find it really heartwarming that he's still appreciated,' his granddaughter Kiera tells me.
'He put so much passion into his films. I think that's why they still do well because he really did put his heart and soul into them.'
The actress, 42, was joined by her student sister India, 22. 'It's her first Cannes,' Kiera says.
'She's been travelling with me, and everywhere she goes, everybody thinks she's so gorgeous and wants to take her picture.'
Lady Bottomley's wardrobe reform
The rise of Nigel Farage's Reform, with its turquoise party colours, has caused something of a landslide in the boudoir of Lady (Virginia) Bottomley, the former Conservative MP and cabinet minister.
Attending Lord Ashcroft's book launch party at the Westminster Chapel, a noticeably sparky Lady Bottomley disclosed that she had just 'been through my entire wardrobe and chucked out anything and everything that is turquoise – I will not wear that colour now!'
True-blue Ginny was wearing a stylish scarlet frock, topped by blazing sapphire eyes.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, has returned to social media with a vengeance, but Prince Harry's polo pal Malcolm Borwick, 48, does not enjoy his own appearances online.
'As someone of an older generation, I find it awkward taking photos of myself and saying something about myself,' he tells me at the Chestertons Polo in the Park 2025 launch party at Bluebird in Chelsea.
A video of dashing Borwick 'went viral' on TikTok last year after Meghan was seen kissing him on both cheeks, prompting a jokey reaction from Harry.
Are Martin's horses behaving badly?
Martin Clunes, who made his name in Men Behaving Badly, struggled to control some unruly horses yesterday.
The Doc Martin star, 63, opened the Heavy Horse Festival at the Devon County Show, at Westpoint, near Exeter.
It showcases the skills and strengths of draught horses.
'Usually at a show, the heavies are tucked away behind an old tractor, but this is a magnificent display of these beautiful horses at the top of their game,' Clunes says.
The actor and his wife, the television producer Philippa Braithwaite, own several horses at their farm in Dorset.
Clunes once took his Clydesdale, Bruce, to meet hospice patients.
The Queen's four-letter tip from Moneypenny
Samantha Bond, a long-time ambassador for the King's Trust, recalls how she once encouraged the Queen to swear.
The actress, who played Moneypenny in four James Bond films, says: 'I met Camilla just before they were getting married. We had a fundraising evening for the Prince's Trust at Windsor. 'I said, 'Many congratulations, ma'am, what splendid news', and she went, 'Oh, you wouldn't think so from the Press'. I looked at her and went, 'You know, sometimes you just have to say, f*** 'em!' Queen Camilla roared with laughter and replied: 'Oh, f*** 'em! Oh, that's frightfully good.' '
Nominative determinism is blooming at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.
Rising star designer of the London Square Chelsea Pensioners Garden is Dave Green.
Over on the Country Life Outdoor Drawing Room is editor Mark Hedges.
And, presiding over the show is RHS chief Keith Weed.
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