Denis Arthur Greenhill, Baron Greenhill of HarrowGCMGOBE (7 November 1913 – 8 November 2000) was the British Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Head of the Diplomatic Service from 1969 to 1973; a respected expert on the US, Europe and the Soviet Union, he was actively involved in setting postwar Britain's role in the world in a new direction, away from its imperial past and a compliant involvement with the United States towards a more active engagement in Europe. He served under three prime ministers, Harold Wilson, Sir Alec Douglas-Home and Edward Heath.
Noted for his poor treatment of the Chagos Islanders in August 1966, along with Sir Paul Gore-Booth, forcibly removed some 2,000 natives from their land referring to them as "some Tarzans or Men Fridays".[1]
In the event, he was liked and respected by colleagues, his managerial skills were valued and his advice was highly regarded by ministers.[citation needed] Created a life peer in 1974, he sat as a crossbencher.
In the Order of St Michael & St George he was appointed a Companion (CMG) in 1960,[5] knighted as a Knight Commander (KCMG) in 1967,[6] and promoted to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in 1972.[7]
On 31 January 1974 he was created a Life Peer as Baron Greenhill of Harrow, of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.[8]
Coat of arms of Denis Greenhill, Baron Greenhill of Harrow
Crest
A Demi-Griffin Gules semée of Mullets Or holding between the claws a Mullet also Or
Escutcheon
Vert two Barrulets Ermine in chief a Lion passant Or a Bordure Argent
Supporters
On either side a Griffin Gules semée of Mullets Or langued and armed Azure