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.

"It has been a privilege to attend so many significant communal events in recent years... from meeting communal leaders and celebrating Jewish festivals in Downing Street to safeguarding the security of British Jews and ensuring a lasting to commitment to Holocaust commemoration and education.

"I am sure that this friendship and my support for the community will continue in the years to come."

Mrs May was hailed as a "true friend" of the community when she announced in May she would stand down.

But her allusion to Kindertransport architect Sir Nicholas Winton prompted an angry response from his daughter who accused the PM of failing to honour his legacy by helping child refugees.