Philip Allen, Baron Allen of Abbeydale

Philip Allen, Baron Allen of Abbeydale,

civil servant

.

Education and early life

He was the son of Arthur Allen and Louie Tipper

King Edward VII School in Sheffield and Queens' College, Cambridge, where he read law. He came top of his year in the Civil Service administrative examinations in 1934.^[3]

Career

Allen joined the

Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office

(1966–72).

John Christie, was held responsible for strangling his own wife and five other women as well as Evans' wife, to which he confessed. When the Home Office files were published, Allen expressed his deep regret at the advice he had given.^[2]

Derek Bentley

Together with Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Frank Newsam, Allen unsuccessfully urged a reprieve for Derek Bentley, who was hanged aged 19 in 1953 for the murder of a policeman. Bentley, who was already under arrest at the time, had allegedly called to an armed accomplice, Christopher Craig, "Let him have it, Chris!", when they were caught in a burglary. The remark, if made, was ambiguous, possibly urging surrender of Craig's gun, rather than inciting Craig to murder. In 1998, Bentley received a posthumous pardon. Craig was imprisoned, being under-age for execution, and was later released.

Honours and roles

Allen was appointed a

Knight Grand Cross (GCB) in the 1970 Birthday Honours.^[6]

In 1975, under the provisions of the Referendum Act, he oversaw as "Chief Counting Officer" for the European Communities membership referendum on 5 June, the first referendum ever to be held across the United Kingdom and saw voters approve continued membership by 67% of voters to 32% on a national turnout of 64%.

Announced in the

Pearson commission

.

He was chairman of the council of Royal Holloway College during its merger with Bedford College in 1985.

Coat of arms of Philip Allen, Baron Allen of Abbeydale
	Crest Within a wreath of holly Proper a boar's head erased behind the ears Argent holding in the jaws a dice Gold. Escutcheon Barry of twelve Azure and Argent two swords in saltire points in base Proper hilts pommels and quillons Or surmounted by a representation of the tower of Beauchief Abbey Proper. Supporters On either side a tricolour cavalier King Charles spaniel the compartment comprising a grassy mount growing therefrom sprigs of holly all Proper. Motto Ad Recta Tende ^[9]

Personal life

In 1938, he married Marjorie Coe (d. 2002). They had no children.^[3] He lived for many years in Englefield Green, Surrey.

References

^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, accessed 12 June 2011 - subscription required
^ ^a ^b Obituary in The Guardian, 11 December 2007 accessed 12 June 2011
^ ^a ^b Obituary including picture, The Daily Telegraph 29 November 2007, accessed 12 June 2011
^ "No. 40188". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 June 1954. p. 3260.
^ "No. 43343". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1964. p. 4939.
^ "No. 45117". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1970. p. 6367.
^ "No. 46919". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1976. p. 8015.
^ "No. 46962". The London Gazette. 15 July 1976. p. 9681.
^ Debrett's Peerage. 2000.

Government offices
Preceded by Sir Charles Cunningham	Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department 1966 to 1972	Succeeded by Sir Arthur Peterson

[ODNB-1] Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, accessed 12 June 2011 - subscription required

[Grauniad-2] Obituary in The Guardian, 11 December 2007 accessed 12 June 2011

[DTel-3] Obituary including picture, The Daily Telegraph 29 November 2007, accessed 12 June 2011

[4] "No. 40188". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 June 1954. p. 3260.

[5] "No. 43343". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1964. p. 4939.

[6] "No. 45117". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1970. p. 6367.

[7] "No. 46919". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 June 1976. p. 8015.

[8] "No. 46962". The London Gazette. 15 July 1976. p. 9681.

[9] Debrett's Peerage. 2000.

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