David Miliband is to be guest of honour at a flagship Board of Deputies event next year.

The former Foreign Secretary will attend the Board’s president’s dinner in April.

Mr Miliband, who retired from UK politics after being beaten by his brother Ed in the Labour Party leadership contest in 2010, is chief executive of the International Rescue Committee in New York.

Board president Jonathan Arkush the organisation was “privileged” that he had accepted the invitation.

He described Mr Miliband as “by any standard a major figure”.

He added: “As the son of refugees and through his current role, David embodies so much of the Jewish experience, both through his actions which bring to mind ‘tikkun olam’ and his sensitivity to the plight of others.