Jewish Labour Movement calls in police over 'internal financial matters'

Jewish Labour group notifies police, days after its former chairman quit following allegations of financial impropriety during his time at Jewish Leadership Council.

The Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) has referred “certain internal financial matters” to the police, days after its former chairman stepped down following allegations of financial impropriety during his time at the helm of the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC).

A JLM email to members sent on Wednesday evening said: “Over the past week we have taken steps to ensure that our financial governance meets the high standards that you as members will expect. As part of that process, we have initiated an external review of our accounting and procedures, as well as taking legal advice.

“In order to ensure full transparency, openness, and to protect the integrity of the movement, we have referred certain internal financial matters to the police for investigation. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for us to make any further comment at this time.”

Newmark, who narrowly lost out in his 2017 bid to become an MP in Finchley and Golders Green, resigned from the JLM earlier this month, ahead of his former organisation the JLC announcing it had hired an independent law firm to review its handling of the case around Newmark, who resigned in 2013 for health reasons.

Earlier this month JLM national secretary Peter Mason reassured members there were no allegations against Newmark during his time with the organisation as national officers had “full oversight of all processes”.