Laura Ashley boss, 78, could take £64m divorce battle to the Eourt of Appeal

A 78-YEAR-OLD Laura Ashley boss could mount a challenge in the Court of Appeal after being ordered to give his 70-year-old exwife £64m.

Former beauty queen Pauline Chai wanted about £100m from ex-husband Khoo Kay Peng following the breakdown of their 42-year marriage.

Ms Chai, who lives in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, had said she should get half an asset kitty she estimated to be at least £205m.

Dr Khoo, non-executive chairman of Laura Ashley Holdings, said she should pocket about £9m.

A High Court judge analysed evidence at a trial in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Mr Justice Bodey announced his decision on Thursday and said Ms Chai should get a £64m package made up of cash and property. His full ruling has yet to be published.

Lawyers representing Dr Khoo say they want to challenge some of Mr Justice Bodey’s findings in the Court of Appeal in London.

No date has yet been fixed for any appeal court hearing.

Ms Chai and Dr Khoo, who both come from Malaysia, married in 1970 and have five children. They have spent more than £6m between them on lawyers since splitting, judges have heard.

The pair had been unable to agree on whether decisions about who got what should be made in English or Malaysian courts, and litigation was launched in both countries.

Dr Khoo, who is based in Malaysia, said the marital home was in Malaysia and a judge in that country should make decisions about the division of money.

Ms Chai, who was Miss Malaysia in 1969, said they had moved their home to Berkhamsted before separating and therefore decisions should be made in an English court.