TS has watched with great interest as cash-shell Boustead attempts (so far in vain) to oust Kingston Smith as its auditor.

We just hope the firm knows exactly who they’re dealing with ­ 84-year-old chairman Sir Thomas Macpherson is not a man to be trifled with.

TS understands that he managed to bluff 23,000 crack German troops into surrendering during World War II and spent two years as a prisoner of war before making a daring escape. Among his military honours, he was awarded a Légion d’Honneur and Croix de Geurre from France.

He's represented Trinity College Oxford at rugby and hockey, and also thrown the oval ball around with London Scottish. One of his current hobbies is shooting. TS urges that Kingston Smith handles talks with the company ­ and its chairman ­ as politely as possible.