The Jewish Leadership Council has announced an in depth review of the circumstances around the departure of Jeremy Newmark, its former chief executive.

Simon Johnson, his successor, said the charity had appointed an independent law firm and will commission an independent accountancy firm to advise it on the process.

Writing in the JC, Mr Johnson said the JLC owed the community “nothing less” than to work with the advisers “to get this right”.

The JC revealed last week that an internal audit into Mr Newmark’s conduct at the JLC had reported that he deceived the organisation out of tens of thousands of pounds and misled charities about the cost of projects he worked on.

Comment: The Jewish Leadership Council must aspire to the highest standards

He resigned as chief executive in 2013 after suffering ill health and denies the allegations against him.

Mr Johnson wrote: “We have commissioned an independent law firm and are appointing an independent accountancy firm to advise the JLC.

“We want to ensure no stone is left unturned in understanding past events and that there is as much visibility as possible.”

As part of the review Mr Newmark will be invited to participate.

Mr Johnson said the JLC was now a very different organisation, “operationally and otherwise”.

“It not only has a new chief executive, but also a new chairman, Jonathan Goldstein – a former lawyer like myself – seven new trustees, and a new strategic direction.”

He added that the review, however “painful” for the organisation, would be an opportunity to demonstrate that the “JLC is fully committed to being transparent, accountable, and a home of best practice”.

Jo Coleman, a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson and an expert in charity law, will provide the legal advice. The costs of Ms Coleman's work, and that of the accountancy firm, will be covered by the JLC.