Former Chancellor George Osborne discovers he is Jewish

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is halachically Jewish, according to the Beth Din, who ruled on paperwork submitted by his brother ahead of his marriage to an Orthodox Jewish woman.

Osborne, who is now the editor of the Evening Standard, revealed the Beth Din’s judgement after his younger brother Theo found paperwork suggesting their maternal grandmother was a member of a Budapest synagogue.

Clarisse Loxton-Peacock, born Clarisse Feher, was a glamourous Hungarian who came to Britain before the war, never revealed the family’s Jewish links – it was only while Theo was researching his family history ahead of his conversion course.

Theo, 33, an investment banker, married his American fiancée Justine Fisher in an Orthodox Jewish wedding last week.

According to The Telegraph, Hungarian birth certificates also showing Feher as Jewish backed up Osborne’s claim. Known as Klara, she came to Bristol to study art before moving to London. She died aged 90 in 2004.

The former Chancellor said: “’The whole family was thrilled to be at my brother Theo and Justine’s wedding on Sunday and to have enjoyed all the tradition and splendour and energy of a great Jewish wedding.”

In March, Osborne made his latest appearance at a Jewish Care event, speaking to former Director of BBC News James Harding at a Business Breakfast that helped to raise £40,000.