David West (also known as “Dave West” and “Lord David West of the Manor of Hollesley”, 1944 – 2014)
The Steeple Times
This larger than life character loved distinctively coloured clothing, crocodile skin shoes and luxury cars. Romford born David West was a businessman who made his fortune selling tobacco and alcohol to British “booze cruisers” and then bought nightclubs and restaurants in the Jermyn Street area of St James’s. He unsuccessfully hired Cherie Blair to fight the smoking ban in 2007 and took his then girlfriend Joanna Dudzik to court in 2006 to attempt to curb her spending. His son – also named David West – was arrested and charged with his murder in December 2014. “The man in the pink suit” will be greatly missed by many.