Home Secretary Theresa May has called on the Jewish community to help combat the "perverted and twisted ideology" which led to 38 deaths in Tunisia this week .

Addressing the Hasmonean High School's dinner at the Millennium Mayfair on Wednesday, she also vowed that the government would do more to protect Jews from the threat of extremism.

Mrs May, who received a standing ovation before and after her speech, told the 420 guests: "We need to do more to challenge destructive narratives. That is why the government is introducing a new counter-extremism strategy to protect people from extremism in all its forms.

"At the heart of our strategy sits an open offer to all who oppose extremism to work together to eradicate it."

She said the strategy, incorporating a legal requirement that schools report extremist behaviour by pupils, recognised that "in a pluralistic society like ours, there are responsibilities as well as rights".

Mrs May acknowledged that "the terrorist threat is especially pertinent to the Jewish community. We've seen a resurgence of disgusting antisemitism which has led some Jews to question their future in Europe and others to emigrate.

"I understand that this is distressing and I am clear that everyone in this country should be able to lead their lives free from religious hatred. I was pleased to see a poll in the Jewish Chronicle earlier this year saying that most Jews have not considered leaving the UK but we can never rest from our work."

Regarding the Metropolitan Police's decision to move the July 4 protest from Golders Green to central London , she said: "We must not let extremists exploit our tolerance to promote intolerance."

Praising Hasmonean as a "remarkable" institution, Mrs May said it demonstrated that deep religious beliefs could be compatible with British values, proving that "you can be a proud Orthodox Jew and a contributing member of British society".

She also made mention of "a constituent of mine who died today, Sir Nicholas Winton. As you will know, he saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish children. There are many families who are able to show that they owe their lives to the work of Nicky Winton. It is sad that he died. But he was 106, so he had a very good innings."

Via his foundation, philanthropist Ronald Lauder donated $50,000 to Hasmonean on the night in honour of Mrs May's attendance. His representative, Rabbi Joshua Spinner, read a letter from Mr Lauder in he which warned: "The dark forces of intolerance and hatred are asserting themselves across Europe."

Governors' chair Andrew Rashbass said before the dinner: "Hasmonean is the engine room of the Jewish community.

"Teachers, doctors, businesspeople, heads of yeshivot and seminaries - they've all come out of Hasmonean.

"We are a community school at the heart of the community."

He added that "regardless of the financial position of your family, you are welcome at Hasmonean. No child is left behind."