Charity Commission backs JLC investigation over Jeremy Newmark

The Charity Commission has given the green light to the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC)’s investigation into its own conduct following allegations of financial impropriety by former chief executive Jeremy Newmark.

The watchdog agreed to the JLC’s terms of reference for its independent review into the handling of Newmark’s 2013 resignation, which at the time was reported to be on the grounds of health.

The organisation’s conduct in relation to whistleblowing claims of financial impropriety on the part of Newmark will be reviewed by a three-member panel comprising retired judge Dawn Freedman, former KPMG vice-chairman Derek Zissman and charities lawyer Michael Scott.

All three have confirmed they have no links to the JLC or Newmark.

Their remit is to consider whether decisions made by the JLC’s trustees at the time were “reasonable” and “in the best interests of the JLC”.

The panel has not been told to consider whether trustees should have referred the matter to the
police.