Eric Miller (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Sir Eric Merton Miller (1927 – 22 September 1977) was a British businessman who committed suicide
while under investigation for fraud.
and left school at the age of 16 to work in an estate agency. Shortly thereafter he was spotted as a business talent by George Farrow who ran a small property company called Peachey. Farrow recruited Miller to work for him, and after Farrow's retirement Miller became Chairman of Peachey.
councillor and he also supported the party. In the early 1970s, Eric Miller began contributing to the running of Harold Wilson
's private office and became a close personal supporter. He was appointed to the board of Labour Party Properties and served as Treasurer of the Socialist International
. He was also a director of Fulham F.C.
.
'). However, suspicion was already growing that the financial dealings of his companies had not been above board and his inclusion in the list was criticised. Investigations uncovered the siphoning off of large sums from the Peachey Property Corporation and Miller was forced from the Chairmanship and eventually off the Peachey board entirely in early 1977. The Fraud squad and Department of Trade launched investigations, and Miller was served with four writs seeking restitution of funds he had allegedly taken. Miller committed suicide
, by shooting himself on the Jewish Day of Atonement
.
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
while under investigation for fraud.
Early life
Miller was brought up in the St John's Wood area of North LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and left school at the age of 16 to work in an estate agency. Shortly thereafter he was spotted as a business talent by George Farrow who ran a small property company called Peachey. Farrow recruited Miller to work for him, and after Farrow's retirement Miller became Chairman of Peachey.
Property dealings
Under Miller's guidance, Peachey Property Corporation took over many other companies and became the predominant freeholder for high-end leasehold properties in London. In the early 1960s, a sudden change in policy led Peachey to sell off some of the residential property in an attempt to become a major player in the commercial property field (then undergoing a boom). This attempt was not particularly successful. Miller was the developer of the Churchill Hotel in Portman Square for the Loews US Corporation.Political activity
Miller's father had been a Labour PartyLabour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
councillor and he also supported the party. In the early 1970s, Eric Miller began contributing to the running of Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
's private office and became a close personal supporter. He was appointed to the board of Labour Party Properties and served as Treasurer of the Socialist International
Socialist International
The Socialist International is a worldwide organization of democratic socialist, social democratic and labour political parties. It was formed in 1951.- History :...
. He was also a director of Fulham F.C.
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
.
Investigations
He received a knighthood in Wilson's retirement Honours list in 1976 (the controversial 'Lavender List1976 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours
The 1976 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours were announced on 27 May 1976 to mark the resignation of Prime Minister Harold Wilson. The list of honours became known satirically as the "Lavender List".-Controversy:...
'). However, suspicion was already growing that the financial dealings of his companies had not been above board and his inclusion in the list was criticised. Investigations uncovered the siphoning off of large sums from the Peachey Property Corporation and Miller was forced from the Chairmanship and eventually off the Peachey board entirely in early 1977. The Fraud squad and Department of Trade launched investigations, and Miller was served with four writs seeking restitution of funds he had allegedly taken. Miller committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
, by shooting himself on the Jewish Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
.