Christopher Balian

Progressive Party member of the London County Council, elected 1898 for Tower Hamlets (St George's in the East). Resigned following issue of warrant for his arrest 3 April 1900

Born in Armenia, mid 1860s. Dry-goods merchant and prospective MP. Induced a Hatton Gardens area jeweller to loan him £5000 worth of pearls, allegedly for a presentation – but immediately pledged them and decamped abroad. The story told in an article in The Times, 31 March 1900 page 12; in November of that year his brother, Armanag Balian, bookmaker, successfully sued The Times in regard of a statement in the original article.