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 Tony Bennett with Catto Gallery owner Gillian Catto, above. The gallery showcased watercolours by the veteran Grammy award-winning singer in 2005 |
‘Cancer agony caused my father to kill himself’ – Son
‘Pain not money troubles’ made gallery owner’s husband shoot himself
THE financially-troubled husband of a well-known Hampstead art dealer killed himself because he was in excruciating pain from cancer, his stepson told the New Journal yesterday (Wednesday).
Peter Catto, 64, the husband of Gillian Catto from the Catto Gallery in Heath Street, shot himself in the family’s French country house on Wednesday. His funeral was held in France on Monday.
Mr Catto had been under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over his alleged involvement in a £34 million fraud and false accounting scandal at dotcom firm Izodia Plc.
The SFO later dropped its prosecution of Mr Catto because he was judged to be too ill, although the charges were left on file.
Yesterday (Wednesday) his stepson Ben Catto hit back at claims that Mr Catto, who had held directorships in more than 50 businesses, had been driven to take his own life because of the scandal surrounding the case.
Speaking from the Catto Gallery, Mr Catto said: “Obviously that had caused a lot of stress but the financial affairs had been resolved – that was done and dusted as far as he was concerned. It was his physical illness that was the contributing factor.
“He was physically in a lot of pain. He was undergoing radiotherapy. We were not sure of the prognosis. He was quite stoic about it but he was in a lot of pain.”
He added: “Everyone who knew him loved him.
“He was a great character with a great sense of humour. He will be sorely missed by his immediate family and by others as well.”
Mr Catto’s widow, Gillian, has remained in France following her husband’s funeral and is expected to return next week. The couple, who had been married for nearly 25 years, had six children between them and divided their time between Hampstead and their home in France.
The Catto Gallery was founded in 1986, since when it has quickly gained a reputation as one of London’s leading fine art centres.
Artists exhibiting their work at the gallery include American singer Tony Bennett who has twice exhibited his paintings there.
Star guests at private views have included singers Olivia Newton John and Jamie Cullum and actor Peter O’ Toole.
Ben Catto said: “For the gallery it is very much business as usual. My mother is a very resourceful woman and she has enormous strength. This is a terrible loss but she is surrounded by an unbelievable amount of love and support from friends and family.” |
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