Philip Allen

July 8, 1912 (age 95)

Sheffield, United Kingdom

He came top of his year in the Civil Service administrative examinations in 1934. Allen joined the Home Office in 1934 and served in the War Cabinet 1943-1944, then as Deputy Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government 1955-1960. He became Deputy Under-Secretary of State, Home Office 1960-1962, Second Secretary, Her Majesty Treasury 1963-1966 and Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Home Office 1966-1972. When the Home Office files were published, Allen expressed his deep regret at the advice he had given. Together with the Permanent Secretary Sir Frank Newsam, Allen had unsuccessfully urged a reprieve for Derek Bentley, 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. Announced in the 1976 Birthday Honours, Allen was created a life peer as Baron Allen of Abbeydale, of the City of Sheffield, on 12 July 1976. He sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher. He lived for many years in Englefield Green, Surrey, was chairman of the council of Royal Holloway College during its merger with Bedford College in 1985.

Philip Allen

Edit Profile

politician

Background

He was the son of Arthur Allen and Louie Tipper and educated at King Edward VII School in Sheffield and Queens" College, Cambridge where he read Law.

Education

King Edward VII School.

Career

He came top of his year in the Civil Service administrative examinations in 1934. Allen joined the Home Office in 1934 and served in the War Cabinet 1943-1944, then as Deputy Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government 1955-1960. He became Deputy Under-Secretary of State, Home Office 1960-1962, Second Secretary, Her Majesty Treasury 1963-1966 and Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Home Office 1966-1972.

When the Home Office files were published, Allen expressed his deep regret at the advice he had given.

Together with the Permanent Secretary Sir Frank Newsam, Allen had unsuccessfully urged a reprieve for Derek Bentley, 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.

Announced in the 1976 Birthday Honours, Allen was created a life peer as Baron Allen of Abbeydale, of the City of Sheffield, on 12 July 1976. He sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher. He lived for many years in Englefield Green, Surrey, was chairman of the council of Royal Holloway College during its merger with Bedford College in 1985.

Achievements

Allen was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Central Bank) in the 1954 Birthday Honours, promoted to Knight Commander (Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath) in the 1964 Birthday Honours and to Knight Grand Cross (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath) in the 1970 Birthday Honours.

Membership

From 1973 to 1978 he was a member of the Pearson commission.

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

Philip Allen

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Membership

Born

Died

Nationality

Education

Awards

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Grand Cross