Gordon Brown has accepted an invitation from Hendon Synagogue to take part in its inaugural Hardman Conversation, remembering Reverend Leslie Hardman and his wife Josi.

Mr Hardman, who died in 2008, was the shul's minister and later, emeritus minister. He had been the first Jewish British Army chaplain to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after its liberation.

The conversation, also featuring the Chief Rabbi, will be part of a gala dinner on June 15, coinciding with the completion of major extension and refurbishment work.

Dinner committee chairman Stephen Rosenthal said: "The calibre of guest speakers we have secured demonstrates the ambition of Hendon Synagogue to go forward as a community. We couldn't think of anyone better to participate in our inaugural Hardman Conversation."