Editing Nirj Deva

{{Short description|British politician (born 1948)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Nirj Deva
| honorific-suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|FRSA|DL}}
| image = Nirj Deva UNDP 2010.jpg
| imagesize = 
| caption = Deva in 2010
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|05|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Colombo]], [[Dominion of Ceylon]]
| birthname = Niranjan Joseph De Silva Deva Aditya
| citizenship = [[Sri Lanka]] and [[United Kingdom]]
| spouse = Indra
| children = 1
| residence = [[London]]
| office = [[Member of the European Parliament]] <br />for [[South East England (European Parliament constituency)|South East England]]
| term_start =10 June 1999
| term_end = 1 July 2019
| predecessor = ''Position established''
| successor = [[Belinda de Lucy]]
| constituency_MP2 = [[Brentford and Isleworth]]
| parliament2 = United Kingdom
| majority2 = 
| predecessor2 = [[Barney Hayhoe]]
| successor2 = [[Ann Keen]]
| term_start2 = 9 April 1992
| term_end2 = 8 April 1997
| party = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| otherparty = [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.nirjdeva.co.uk/|www.nirjdeva.co.uk}}<br />[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/4556/Nirj_DEVA_home.html European Parliament]
}}
'''Niranjan Joseph De Silva Deva Aditya''' (born 11 May 1948), known as '''Nirj Deva''', is a British politician.  A member of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], he served as a [[Member of the European Parliament]] for [[South East England (European Parliament constituency)|South East England]] from 1999 to 2019. He was a [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Member of Parliament]] (MP) in the British [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] from 1992 to 1997, for the seat of [[Brentford and Isleworth]].

Deva was born in [[Sri Lanka]] into a politically active family and was raised in Britain. He was the fifth Asian-born person to be elected a Member of the House of Commons, and in 1999 became the second so-born to be elected as a Conservative to the [[European Parliament]] which operates via a party list system. In November 2011 Deva became the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]] Group's candidate for [[President of the European Parliament]], following three UN-related roles, representing the European Union, in the 2005 to 2006 period.<ref name="The man to stop Schulz">{{cite web|url=http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/the-man-to-stop-schulz-/72527.aspx|accessdate=2011-12-03|title=The man to stop Schulz?}}</ref><ref name="BBC Democracy Live">{{cite web|title=European parliament presidential hustings|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/europe/newsid_9676000/9676854.stm|publisher=[[BBC]] [[Democracy Live]]|date=17 January 2012}}</ref>

==Family background and education==
Deva was born in [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka, to a leading family of [[Rajasthan]]i ([[demographics of India|Indian]]) descent, and is a [[Roman Catholic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/01/18/fea26.asp|title=Features {{!}} Online edition of Daily News – Lakehouse Newspapers|website=archives.dailynews.lk|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref> His grandfather was a Senator in the first Sri Lankan (Ceylon) Parliament. Deva's father was Dr. Kingsley De Silva Deva Aditya, a prominent eye surgeon in Colombo, Sri Lanka. His mother Zita was the daughter of Dr. M. G. Perera, a member of the [[Senate of Ceylon|Senate]] in then Ceylon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=15992|title=The Island|website=www.island.lk|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref> He spent his primary and secondary education at [[Saint Joseph's College, Colombo|St. Joseph's College]], a Catholic school in Colombo. He holds Sri Lankan and British citizenship, and speaks [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] and [[English language|English]].

Deva was educated at [[Loughborough University]], where he completed a degree in [[Aeronautical Engineering]] and was subsequently a [[Postgraduate]] [[Research Fellow]] in [[Economics]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}}

==British Parliament==
Deva stood as the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] candidate in [[Hammersmith (UK Parliament constituency)|Hammersmith]] at the [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987 general election]] but lost by 2,415 votes to sitting [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] MP [[Clive Soley]].<ref>{{cite web|title=UK General Election results June 1987|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge87/i10.htm|publisher=politicsresources.net|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508153159/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge87/i10.htm|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Geddes|first1=Andrew|editor1-last=Saggar|editor1-first=Shamit|title=Race And British Electoral Politics|date=1998|publisher=[[UCL Press]]|location=London|isbn=0-203-21405-6|page=174|chapter=7 Inequality, political opportunity and ethnic minority parliamentary candidacy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q_KNAgAAQBAJ}}</ref>

At the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]], Deva was elected to the House of Commons as MP for the [[London]] constituency of [[Brentford and Isleworth]] with a majority of 2,086.<ref>{{cite web|title=UK General Election results April 1992|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/i03.htm|publisher=politicsresources.net|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811135952/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/i03.htm|archive-date=11 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his time in Parliament, Deva served as a [[Parliamentary private secretary]] (PPS) at the [[Scottish Office]]. Deva was only the fifth Asian-born person to be elected a Member of the House of Commons and serve in the British Government.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}}

He was defeated in the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]], losing to the Labour candidate [[Ann Keen]] by 14,424 votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brentford & Isleworth|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/044.htm|publisher=politicsresources.net|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200151/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/044.htm|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==European Parliament==
Deva was chosen by the Conservatives to be one of their candidates for the [[South East England (European Parliament constituency)|South East England]] at the [[1999 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|1999 European Parliament election]]. This was to be the first European election in the UK to use the [[Closed list|closed]] [[party-list proportional representation]] electoral system and Deva was placed fifth amongst the eleven Conservatives candidates in South East England.<ref>{{cite web|title=1999 Election Candidates: Candidates|url=http://www.europarl.org.uk/resource/static/files/european_elections/http___www.europarl.org.uk_section_1999_1999-election-candidate.pdf|publisher=European Parliament / Information Office in the United Kingdom}}</ref> Following the election the Conservatives were entitled to five MEPs from South East England and therefore Deva was elected to the [[European Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Vote 99: UK Regions – South East|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/euros_99/regional_html/708.stm|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Deva became the first Asian-born person to be elected as a Conservative member of the European Parliament.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}} At the [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2004 European Parliament election]] Deva was moved up to second place on the Conservatives' list of candidates for South East England.<ref>{{cite web|title=2004 Election Candidates|url=http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/european_elections/previous_election_results/10-june-2004/2004_election_candidates.html#6|publisher=European Parliament / Information Office in the United Kingdom|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200251/http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/european_elections/previous_election_results/10-june-2004/2004_election_candidates.html#6|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the election the Conservatives were entitled to four MEPs from South East England and therefore Deva was re-elected to the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|title=European Election: South East Result|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2004/euro_uk/html/35.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|date=14 June 2004}}</ref>

In April 2005 he was chairman of the European Parliament's delegation to the [[Commission on Sustainable Development|UN Commission on Sustainable Development]] in New York, and delivered a paper on the future of the [[United Nations]] at the [[Council on Foreign Relations|US Council on Foreign Relations]]. A few months later, he headed the European Parliament's delegation to the UN High-Level Conference on global financing of aid. Also in 2005 he was Co-Chairman (with former [[Prime Minister of France]] [[Michel Rocard]]) of the European Parliaments' Delegation to the [[2005 World Summit|World Summit]] at the United Nations 60th [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]].

At the [[2009 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2009 European Parliament election]] Deva was placed third on the Conservatives' list of candidates for South East England.<ref>{{cite web|title=Candidates 2009|url=http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/european_elections/previous_election_results/electionresults2009/candidates.html;jsessionid=30102A16E5347D28698D5502731A8A9C#6|publisher=European Parliament / Information Office in the United Kingdom|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051202/http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/european_elections/previous_election_results/electionresults2009/candidates.html;jsessionid=30102A16E5347D28698D5502731A8A9C#6|archive-date=5 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the election the Conservatives were entitled to four MEPs from South East England and therefore Deva was re-elected to the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|title=European Election 2009: South East|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/euro/09/html/ukregion_35.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|date=8 June 2009}}</ref>

In November 2011 it was announced that Deva would be the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]] Group's candidate for [[President of the European Parliament]].<ref name="The man to stop Schulz"/><ref name="BBC Democracy Live"/> In the election in January 2012 he was backed by 142 MEPs, compared to the [[S&D]] winning candidate [[Martin Schulz]], backed by 387 MEPs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Schulz elected President of the European Parliament|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20120113IPR35350/html/Martin-Schulz-elected-President-of-the-European-Parliament|publisher=[[European Parliament]]|date=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Election of president|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/europe/newsid_9678000/9678877.stm|publisher=[[BBC]] [[Democracy Live]]|date=17 January 2012}}</ref>

At the [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2014 European Parliament election]] Deva was ranked one spot higher for the same EU region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statement of Parties and Individual Candidates Nominated and Notice of Poll|url=http://www.southampton.gov.uk/Images/Statement%20of%20Parties%20and%20Individual%20Canidates%20Nominated%20and%20Notice%20of%20Poll_tcm46-356525.pdf|publisher=[[Southampton City Council]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513141931/http://www.southampton.gov.uk/Images/Statement%20of%20Parties%20and%20Individual%20Canidates%20Nominated%20and%20Notice%20of%20Poll_tcm46-356525.pdf|archivedate=13 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Following the election the Conservatives were entitled to three MEPs from South East England and therefore Deva was re-elected to the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|title=South East|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/E15000008|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> After the election mainstream Sri Lankan media falsely reported Deva had increased "his share" of the vote: electors vote for the party, not the candidate, and Conservative votes and share of the vote decreased.<ref>{{cite news|title=Niranjan wins again bucking the trend and increasing his vote while Conservative Party collapses in European election|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/niranjan-wins-again-bucking-trend-and-increasing-his-vote-while-conservative-party-collapses|work=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)]]|date=30 May 2014|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603094531/http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local%2Fniranjan-wins-again-bucking-trend-and-increasing-his-vote-while-conservative-party-collapses|archive-date=3 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Niranjan Deva Aditya creates history at European Parliament|url=http://www.nation.lk/edition/todays-photo/item/29685-niranjan-de-silva-creates-history-at-european-parliament.html|work=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=30 May 2014|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051312/http://www.nation.lk/edition/todays-photo/item/29685-niranjan-de-silva-creates-history-at-european-parliament.html|archive-date=5 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Deva serves as co-ordinator on the [[Committee on Development|Committee on Overseas Development and Cooperation]], and is a bureau member of the [[ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly]]. He is also a member of the [[Committee on Foreign Affairs (EU)|Committee on Foreign Affairs]] of the [[European Parliament]]. He has established an online campaign calling for a referendum on the European Constitution (www.giveusareferendum.eu), and launched an online survey asking the views of his constituents on the future of the EU (www.southeastsurvey.eu).

==Lobbying==
Whilst an MP Deva served as a consultant for tobacco manufacturer [[Rothmans International|Rothmans]], builders [[John Laing plc|Laing]] and power station equipment manufacturer [[KHD]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chris|first1=Blackhurst|last2=Rentoul|first2=John|title=Hamilton role 'close to paid advocacy'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hamilton-role-close-to-paid-advocacy-1346296.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hamilton-role-close-to-paid-advocacy-1346296.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=9 May 1996|authorlink1=Chris Blackhurst|authorlink2=John Rentoul}}</ref> Following the [[cash-for-questions affair]] Deva was amongst a number of MPs who were investigated by an official inquiry led by [[Gordon Downey]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Best|first=Shaun|title=Introduction to Politics and Society|date=2001|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]]|page=201|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CBob9jF0cWwC|isbn=9781847876171}}</ref> The inquiry found that Deva had [[no case to answer]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Downey|first=Gordon|title=VIII. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmselect/cmstnprv/030i/sp0143.htm|work=Select Committee on Standards and Privileges First Report|publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]|authorlink=Gordon Downey|date=27 March 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The sleaze report: 20 are cleared by the findings|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-sleaze-report-20-are-cleared-by-the-findings-1248837.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-sleaze-report-20-are-cleared-by-the-findings-1248837.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=4 July 1997}}</ref>

Deva used an official European Parliament trip to [[Barbados]] in 2009 to promote Symphony Environmental Technologies, a company from which he received £33,000 a year for being its chairman.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Dominic|title=Nirj Deva MEP promoted business interests on expenses-paid EU visit|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/nirj-deva-mep-promoted-business-interests-on-expenses-paid-eu-visit-9v20plqwgr7|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=29 May 2009}}</ref>

Deva lobbies extensively for the [[Sri Lankan government]] and founded the Friends of Sri Lanka group in the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Declaration of Members' Financial Interests|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-dif/4556_20-07-2009.pdf|publisher=[[European Parliament]]|date=20 July 2009}}</ref> He is regarded as an unofficial "Ambassador-at-Large for Sri Lanka".<ref>{{cite news|title=Member of European Parliament envisages converting Tamils to Buddhism|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?artid=26500&catid=79|newspaper=[[TamilNet]]|date=30 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=This is Paradise: So much of right royal baloney|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20081109/paradise.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=9 November 2008}}</ref>

==Business interests==

===Sri Lanka===
Deva's family has extensive business interests in Sri Lanka including tea, rubber and coconut plantations as well as a distillery and residential property.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bevins|first=Anthony|title=New MPs declare multitude of directorships|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/new-mps-declare-multitude-of-directorships-the-house-of-commons-latest-register-of-members-business-interests-is-perused-by-anthony-bevins-political-editor-1478005.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/new-mps-declare-multitude-of-directorships-the-house-of-commons-latest-register-of-members-business-interests-is-perused-by-anthony-bevins-political-editor-1478005.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=12 January 1993|authorlink=Anthony Bevins}}</ref> Deva is a director of Waulugalle Distilleries Limited, Serene Residencies (Private) Limited and the [[family trust]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Declaration of Members' Financial Interests|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-dif/rev/4556_05-07-2012_Rev2.pdf|publisher=[[European Parliament]]|date=3 April 2014}}</ref>

Deva holds directorships of a number of Sri Lanka's largest companies. He is a director of conglomerate [[Aitken Spence PLC]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Aitken Spence PLC: Annual Report 2012/13|url=http://www.cse.lk/cmt/upload_report_file/501_1370338092614.pdf|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718013439/http://cse.lk/cmt/upload_report_file/501_1370338092614.pdf|archive-date=18 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aitken Spence PLC: Company Profile|url=http://www.cse.lk/company_profile.do?symbol=SPEN.N0000|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]}}</ref> He was appointed a non-executive director of [[Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings]] PLC, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC, with effect from 1 July 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Appointment of Independent Non Executive Directors to the Board of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC|url=http://www.cse.lk/cmt/uploadAnnounceFiles/2941277961287_521.pdf|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]|date=30 June 2010|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602201049/http://www.cse.lk/cmt/uploadAnnounceFiles/2941277961287_521.pdf|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC: Company Profile|url=http://www.cse.lk/company_profile.do?symbol=AHUN.N0000|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]}}</ref> He was appointed to the board of directors of MTD Walkers PLC with effect from 29 February 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=MTD Walkers PLC Corporate Disclosure|url=http://www.cse.lk/cmt/uploadAnnounceFiles/1611330576411_444.pdf|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]|date=29 February 2012|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195111/http://www.cse.lk/cmt/uploadAnnounceFiles/1611330576411_444.pdf|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MTD Walkers PLC: Company Profile|url=http://www.cse.lk/company_profile.do?symbol=KAPI.N0000|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]}}</ref> He is a director of [[Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC]] and its subsidiary Melstacorp Limited.<ref>{{cite web|title=Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC: Annual Report 2012/13|url=http://www.cse.lk/cmt/upload_report_file/463_1377858398.pdf|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903101128/http://cse.lk/cmt/upload_report_file/463_1377858398.pdf|archive-date=3 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC: Company Profile|url=http://www.cse.lk/company_profile.do?symbol=DIST.N0000|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]}}</ref> He is also a director of The Kingsbury PLC (formerly Hotel Services (Ceylon) PLC), a subsidiary of [[Hayleys PLC]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Kingsbury PLC: Annual Report 2013/14|url=http://www.cse.lk/cmt/upload_report_file/543_1401361133187.pdf|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602201137/http://www.cse.lk/cmt/upload_report_file/543_1401361133187.pdf|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Kingsbury PLC: Company Profile|url=http://www.cse.lk/company_profile.do?symbol=SERV.N0000|publisher=[[Colombo Stock Exchange]]}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
Deva is a shareholder, director and chairman of Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC, a company [[Listing (finance)|listed]] on the [[Alternative Investment Market]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03676824/SYMPHONY-ENVIRONMENTAL-TECHNOLOGIES-PLC/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605050937/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03676824/SYMPHONY-ENVIRONMENTAL-TECHNOLOGIES-PLC/directors-shareholders|archive-date=5 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He received a salary of £42,000 in 2013 for being chairman.<ref>{{cite book|title=Annual Reports and Accounts 2013|publisher=Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC|page=10}}</ref> He is also a director of two of the company's subsidiaries, Symphony Recycling Technologies Limited and Symphony Plastics (2010) Limited.<ref>{{cite web|title=Symphony Recycling Technologies Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/05711761/SYMPHONY-RECYCLING-TECHNOLOGIES-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195411/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/05711761/SYMPHONY-RECYCLING-TECHNOLOGIES-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Symphony Plastics (2010) Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03286343/SYMPHONY-PLASTICS-2010-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140601191002/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03286343/SYMPHONY-PLASTICS-2010-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 June 2014|publisher=Company Check}}</ref> He is also currently director of Deva Imperial Limited, Monte Zita Limited and Stassen Teas Limited.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deva Imperial Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08908583/DEVA-IMPERIAL-LTD/directors-shareholders|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140601190956/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08908583/DEVA-IMPERIAL-LTD/directors-shareholders|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 June 2014|publisher=Company Check}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Monte Zita Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08913806/MONTE-ZITA-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140601190927/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08913806/MONTE-ZITA-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 June 2014|publisher=Company Check}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stassen Teas Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08484611/STASSEN-TEAS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195721/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08484611/STASSEN-TEAS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He had previously been director of Airlines of the World Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Airlines of the World Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02414041/AIRLINES-OF-THE-WORLD-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140601190930/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02414041/AIRLINES-OF-THE-WORLD-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 June 2014|publisher=Company Check}}</ref> Budget Hotels Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Budget Hotels Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03243012/BUDGET-HOTELS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195716/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03243012/BUDGET-HOTELS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> CMB Technologies Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=CMB Technologies Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/04098089/CMB-TECHNOLOGIES-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140601190930/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/04098089/CMB-TECHNOLOGIES-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 June 2014|publisher=Company Check}}</ref> Corporate and Public Affairs Strategy Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Corporate and Public Affairs Strategy Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/01666760/CORPORATE-AND-PUBLIC-AFFAIRS-STRATEGY-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605050933/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/01666760/CORPORATE-AND-PUBLIC-AFFAIRS-STRATEGY-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=5 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> First European Communications Corporation Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=First European Communications Corporation Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02829938/FIRST-EUROPEAN-COMMUNICATIONS-CORPORATION-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194535/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02829938/FIRST-EUROPEAN-COMMUNICATIONS-CORPORATION-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Global Business Link Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Business Link Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03124341/GLOBAL-BUSINESS-LINK-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194709/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03124341/GLOBAL-BUSINESS-LINK-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> International Management Consulting Group Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=International Management Consulting Group Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02961250/INTERNATIONAL-MANAGEMENT-CONSULTING-GROUP-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200045/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02961250/INTERNATIONAL-MANAGEMENT-CONSULTING-GROUP-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> P.P.A.I. Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=P.P.A.I. Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02193987/PPAI-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195719/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02193987/PPAI-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Policy Research Centre for Business Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Policy Research Centre for Business Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03332907/POLICY-RESEARCH-CENTRE-FOR-BUSINESS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194940/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03332907/POLICY-RESEARCH-CENTRE-FOR-BUSINESS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Project Management (Balaton) Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Project Management (Balaton) Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03559017/PROJECT-MANAGEMENT-BALATON-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195405/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03559017/PROJECT-MANAGEMENT-BALATON-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Serendib Business Investments Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Serendib Business Investments Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03377372/SERENDIP-BUSINESS-INVESTMENTS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194614/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03377372/SERENDIP-BUSINESS-INVESTMENTS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Speed Promotions Limited,<ref>{{cite web|title=Speed Promotions Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08484611/STASSEN-TEAS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195721/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08484611/STASSEN-TEAS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Winfotech Europe Limited<ref>{{cite web|title=Winfotech Europe Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/06719605/WINFOTECH-EUROPE-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195409/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/06719605/WINFOTECH-EUROPE-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and World Corporate Travel Buyers Club Limited.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Corporate Travel Buyers Club Limited|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03376380/WORLD-CORPORATE-TRAVEL-BUYERS-CLUB-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|publisher=Company Check|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602194539/http://companycheck.co.uk/company/03376380/WORLD-CORPORATE-TRAVEL-BUYERS-CLUB-LIMITED/directors-shareholders|archive-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Other roles and activities==
In 1981, Deva became Chairman of the [[Bow Group]], a conservative [[think tank]] in [[Great Britain]], and initiated the Transatlantic Conferences between the Bow Group and the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and [[The Heritage Foundation]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]

Deva was appointed Chairman of the Department of Transport and National Consumer Council Committee on Deregulation of Air Transport, whose report was published by the UK Government in March 1986.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}}  This resulted in the low-fare airlines in Europe.

Deva was a Member of the Council of the [[Royal Commonwealth Society]] from 1976 to 1980.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}} In 1985, he became the first Asian-born person to be appointed by Queen [[Elizabeth II]] to the office of [[Deputy lieutenant]] for [[Greater London]] – a position which he holds for life.{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}} He is a Fellow of Britain's [[Royal Society of Arts]], President of the EU-India Chamber of Commerce, and a Patron of the [[International Monarchist League]].{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} Deva has backed many important education and health issues – he is a staunch supporter of the [[Autism Awareness Campaign UK]] and in Sri Lanka.

In 2006 Deva tried to become a [[United Nations Secretary-General selection, 2006|candidate]] for the post of [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Candidates for UN Secretary General|url=http://www.unsg.org/candidates.html|publisher=unsg.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Another Lankan in UN S-G race?|url=http://www.island.lk/2006/09/08/news6.html|work=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 September 2006}}</ref> Deva claimed to have received the recommendation of [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Fiji)|Fijian Foreign Minister]] [[Kaliopate Tavola]], a claim refuted by Fiji.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fiji's Foreign Minister rejects UN job claim|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2006-09-10/fijis-foreign-minister-rejects-un-job-claim/733124|work=[[Radio Australia]]|date=10 September 2006}}</ref><ref name=SL170906>{{cite news|title=For Dhanapala, this may be the last straw|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20060917/issues.htm|work=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=17 September 2006}}</ref> He tried unsuccessfully to receive the endorsement of [[Sri Lankan President]] [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]].<ref name=SL170906/> The British government also refused to support Deva.<ref>{{cite news|title=UNSC to hold more straw polls|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/nm16/unsc-to-hold-more-straw-polls/article1-146835.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607123604/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/nm16/unsc-to-hold-more-straw-polls/article1-146835.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 June 2014|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=7 September 2006}}</ref> With so little support Deva didn't go forward as an official candidate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=MacAskill|first1=Ewen|last2=Tisdall|first2=Simon|last3=Pilkington|first3=Ed|title=Security council divided on successor to Kofi Annan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/12/unitednations|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=12 September 2006}}</ref>

Since 2008 Deva has served as the President of the International Committee on Human Dignity for the Rome-based [[Dignitatis Humanae Institute]],<ref>[http://www.dignitatishumanae.com/index.php/aboutus/about-the-institute/organigram%C2%A0/ dignitatishumanae.com]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and is also the Vice-President of the European Parliament's Working Group on Human Dignity since its launch in 2009.

==Family life==
Deva is married to Indra – a [[French language|French]]-speaking [[Mauritius|Mauritian]]. Indra has worked as Deva's personal assistant since he was elected an MP in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|title=Declaration of Members' Financial Interests|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-dif/4556_07-06-2008.PDF|publisher=[[European Parliament]]|date=7 July 2008}}</ref> As of 2009 Indra was earning a salary of £30,000-£39,999 for working as one of Deva's assistants in the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Swaine|first1=Jon|last2=Waterfield|first2=Bruno|title=British MEPs exploit loophole to pay relatives to work for them|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/6347266/British-MEPs-exploit-loophole-to-pay-relatives-to-work-for-them.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=16 October 2009}}</ref>

The couple have one son.

==References==
{{reflist|20em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.nirjdeva.com/}}
* [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/4556/Nirj_DEVA_home.html European Parliament]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/27979.stm BBC Democracy Live] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308031805/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/27979.stm |date=8 March 2014 }}
* {{C-SPAN|36906}}
* {{Hansard-contribs|mr-nirj-deva|Nirj Deva}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|uk}}
{{succession box
 | title  = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Brentford and Isleworth]]
 | years  = [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]]–[[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]
 | before = [[Barney Hayhoe]]
 | after  = [[Ann Keen]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deva, Nirj}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of Loughborough University]]
[[Category:Conservative Party (UK) MEPs]]
[[Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Deputy lieutenants of Greater London]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Bow Group]]
[[Category:MEPs for England 1999–2004]]
[[Category:MEPs for England 2004–2009]]
[[Category:MEPs for England 2009–2014]]
[[Category:MEPs for England 2014–2019]]
[[Category:People from Colombo]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:British people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1992–1997]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British monarchists]]