IN JUST six years Ben Elliot, nephew of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has built his private members club, Quintessentially, into one of the world’s largest concierge services.

Its reputation is based on supplying its wealthy and well-connected members a discreet and efficient service providing just about anything they require.

Need some real penguins for a party or a pair of Jimmy Choos when the shops are shut? Then call Quintessentially. It has air-lifted elm tea bags to Madonna and found a dozen albino peacocks for Jennifer Lopez’s party.

Elliot, whose cousin Tom Parker Bowles also contributes to the company, lays down a strict policy that the club will not provide anything illegal or immoral.

However, earlier this year The Sunday Times was informed of allegations that one of Quintessentially’s staff was prepared to go that little bit further.

At the Cannes film festival last week, a Quintessentially account manager agreed to provide 30 grams of cocaine to a member he believed to be a wealthy businessman holding a party.

A reporter posing as the businessman’s assistant was told by Aurelien Goldstein, who has worked for Quintessentially for two years, that he could supply cocaine. “It’s €100 [£68] a gram,” he said, expressing concern that he could supply only a large amount. He added that he could also supply a prostitute.

This weekend, Goldstein has been suspended pending an inquiry by Quintessentially, which boasts in its brochure: “This is the latterday magic for a generation reared on the idea that money can buy you anything.”

Aaron Simpson, the chief executive and co-founder, said: “I am absolutely horrified that this man, this Aurelien Goldstein, who is a trusted member of my staff, has acted in this way. This is not our company policy and I am absolutely beside myself that he has done this.”

Following a tip-off about an event abroad run by a Quintessentially employee, a reporter posed as a hedge fund manager with a fondness for partying and joined as a “dedicated member”.

The company – which is said to be worth more than £60m, employs 700 people and has offices in 28 countries – invited the reporter and his assistant to a networking party last week on a yacht in Cannes harbour for visitors to the film festival.

They joined more than a 100 guests who were ferried out to the motor vessel Moonmaiden II for champagne and canapés.

Quintessentially, which boasts Elliot’s friend Zac Goldsmith among its advisers, had attracted a fashionable crowd.

A number of Quintessentially staff were on board. The reporter posing as the hedge fund manager approached Louise O’Rior-dan, the head of marketing and events, and explained that he was a member and his assistant wanted help preparing a party for clients later in the week. She recommended Goldstein, who was based at the company’s Cannes office during the festival.

The assistant talked to Goldstein twice that evening. She said she needed some help arranging a party for clients flying in from the Middle East and New York.

After chatting, the reporter asked: “I think we would like to get some coke.”

Goldstein, who has worked for Quintessentially in London after being a hotel concierge, did not recoil. “Yes, I can, maybe,” he replied. “You know what . . ? You come and give me a little envelope and I will do my best.”

Two days later, the assistant met Goldstein at the La Plage beach bar in the resort of Juan-les-Pins, near Cannes. Goldstein introduced the subject of the drugs and explained that there was a small problem.

There had been an “big arrest” which had sent “friends” into hiding. It meant that small drug deals were not as easy, but larger amounts were possible.

Goldstein: I can do something. The guy is just, he says you know, do 30.

Assistant: How much?

G: 30g, I can do.

A: How much is that?

G: €3,000 . . . Okay, okay. I thought it might be too much.

A: I think it’s loads, but it is fine.

G: Well, if you want some more then maybe [laughs] . . .

A: How much? So that’s 30g? How much would that be?

G: It’s a €100 a gram. Goldstein had earlier asked that the assistant’s boss paid a little “extra” money to him.

The conversation concluded:

G: Like a little tip or something . . ?

A: Yes, of course. That will be fine. That envelope was . . . a little bit for the, er, drugs. Obviously he [the hedge fund manager] wasn’t expecting to have 30g of coke, so some of it was meant for you. But I’ll let him know, so I can bring extra for you tomorrow.

G: Oh cool. Perfect.

Yesterday, Goldstein was unavailable for comment. The company’s lawyers threatened an injunction, emphasising that Goldstein’s actions were neither approved nor condoned. However, Simpson said: “I can’t do anything else but say that I am terribly sorry to all my members worldwide if they are in any way, shape or form insulted by this.”

It was illegal, wrong and against company policy, he said.

World player

Quintessentially was founded in December 2000 by Ben Elliot and Aaron Simpson, a former film producer. It now has offices in many of the world’s main cities.

It charges £750 a year for ordinary membership and £2,500 for a “dedicated service” with an account manager (in effect, the concierge). The £24,000 elite service operates worldwide.

The company was set up to satisfy demand for last-minute requests such as for theatre tickets or restaurant reservations. It also caters for anything from taxidermy to providing make-up artists ahead of a party.

Members are said to have included Jemima Khan, Sienna Miller and Sir Richard Branson.

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