Theresa May has said her support for the Jewish community "will continue in the years to come" as her brief, tumultous time as prime minister comes to an end.
Writing to Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl, Mrs May said she could not take up her invitation to appear at the Board's June 16 event but praised the "extremely important" contribution of the Jewish community.
She was writing in response to a letter from Mrs van der Zyl, sent after Mrs May stood down as Tory leader, triggering a contest to replace her that is expected to run until July.
"We are determined to ensure communities feel safe and that people in their places of worship feel secure," she wrote, adding the Government had spent £51 million to date protecting Jewish schools and places of worship.
