Sir Matthew Brown, Bt.
Matthew Edward Julius Malcolm Brown (born 27 August 1984) is a British political activist and socialite. When not using his title he is known as Matthew de Unger-Brown.
He is the only son of Malcolm Brown, a Hong Kong based businessman and member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and Jane Brown a leading International family law specialist. He was educated at Gordonstoun and Oakham School. He is currently a student at the University of Buckingham.
Baronetcy
He succeeded to the Baronetcy in April 2007 following a successful claim, begun by his father, to appear on the Official Roll of the Baronetage as the closest living relative in the male line of the last baronet Sir Robert Brown, Bt. who had died with no apparent heirs.
Modeling and TV work
After leaving school Brown worked briefly as a male model 1, later appearing on the BBC3 television show 'Say No to the Knife' 2. Brown also appeared as co-presenter of 'Night Style' on the Fashion TV network in 2006. He has said that he would like to spend more time on television work in the future, but at this stage nothing has been forthcoming.
Politics
In 2000 he founded the Conservative Youth Alliance, which brought together Conservative Tomorrow and Conservative Youth for Europe. The Conservative Youth Alliance claimed to represent 2500 young conservatives across the United Kingdom, a claim that was never substantiated. This mandate did however grant Brown access to the national media, which he utilised to reasonable effect 3. In July 2001 the Independent newspaper called him "the King of Kindergarten politics" 4
Brown was fascinated by politics from an early age, telling the 10 Downing Street website in 2000, "As PM I would wish to build a society founded on freedom, individual responsibility, social justice and community" 5
As a result of competing for members with the official youth wing of the Conservative Party in 2003 disciplinary proceedings were brought by the Conservative Party. At the hearings in front of the Conservative Party Board he was represented by Mishcon de Reya, but despite this heavyweight legal representation he failed in his attempt to resist expulsion and he became in 2004 the youngest ever person to be expelled from the party, joing the ranks of Neil Hamilton and Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare. He was banned from re-joining the party for a period of at least five years.
During General Augusto Pinochet's time of house arrest Brown was ACTIVE in supporting the General's attempts to resist extradition, calling him "a true friend of the British people", referring to the Chilean leaders support for Britain during the Falklands war. In recognition of this help and support Brown was awarded the Order of Chile (Second Class) by the Agusto Pinochet Foundation in 2003.
In January 2007 he joined the Labour Party and announced he was considering a major donation to the party, citing his belief that Gordon Brown "was the best candidate for Prime Minister", though in recent comments in December to BBC online he appears to be distancing himself from the Labour Party saying "Labour and in particular Gordon Brown seem to be a little too gaffe prone but more worringly the stench of sleaze is becoming more than a little to strong for my taste".6
Inheritance and Business Affairs
Brown inherited from his father and godfather a multi million pound fortune. His inheritance included a majority stake in the hotel and restaurant company Icehome of which he was a Director.
According to its Companies House annual return Icehome owns a number of upscale properties both in Europe and the Middle East. Icehome's latest project, a luxury hotel at Chelsea Bridge Wharf in London was reported in the Evening Standard in November 2006 as causing considerable debate and angst at Wandsworth Council.
In November 2007, in anticipation of his return to University, he resigned from the board of Icehome and sold his majority stake in the company to Saudi based 'Kingdom Group' for an undisclosed sum.
Scandal
In 2004 he was admitted to various treatment facilities, including The Priory for treatment according to the Daily Mail for “[...] and champagne addiction”. *7
Family
In April 2005 he married Baroness Renate de Unger, former daughter in law of Edmund de Unger who owns one of the worlds largest collections of Islamic and Medivial art. Renate de Unger is also the granddaughter of Baron Rikard Bloeck who founded 'The Eden Colony' and Eden Foods in Germany in the early part of the 20th century.
According to Richard Kay in the Daily Mail the couple separated in late 2007, Kay claimed that Brown had been involved in an affair with a leading male city banker, an allegation that has not been substantiated. 8
Brown has one stepson, Anthony, whose godparents include HRH Princess Margarita of Romania and Lord Bethel, the former Conservative MEP. Brown's own godparents include HIH Prince Valentin Romanoff and Vice Admiral Sir Neville Course.
Brown's father died in 1997 and his mother in 2007.
Titles
- Matthew Brown, Esq. (1984–1994)
- The Hon. Matthew Brown (1997–2006)
- The Hon. Sir Matthew Brown, Bt., O.C. (2006–present)
Sources
- Who's Who 2007 (A&C Black)
- 9 thepeerage.com
- 10 political views
- 11 Telegraph Article on 2001 General Election
- 12 Endorsing David Davis for Tory leader
- 13 Satirical biography on the Public Schools Association website
- 14 Daily Mail Article on convictions.
- 15 Guardian Article on Conservative Youth Alliance
- 16 Guardian Article on Formation of Conservative Tomorrow
- 17 Modeling career and television work
- 18 Television work