Alan Miller is taking a breather from his role as co-chief investment officer at New Star Asset Management, and reportedly will go on sabbatical until the end of the year. The Independent reports that MillerÕs leave of absence is linked to a messy divorce earlier this year that ended up in the U.K.Õs House of Lords and which he lost. In addition, the U.K. Hedge Fund, which he has managed for the past four years, has suffered redemptions as well as losses pegged at around 16%. New Star says there is no link between the performance and the divorce. On the other hand, John Duffield, who formed the firm in 2001, told The Independent, ÒAs a fund manager you must be 100% focused on the fund you run, and if you have anything going on, personal or otherwise, it is a distraction.Ó Miller reportedly will Òkeep in close contactÓ with the guys taking over the fund, co-CIO Stephen Whitaker, and newcomer, former Miller rival Guy Crossland, just arrived from Investec, according to The Independent. The paper says Miller is expected to return to the firm come January, but it is not yet clear in what capacity as it relates to the fund heÕs been managing.