The Community Security Trust has cancelled its annual dinner – one of the biggest charity events in the Anglo-Jewish calendar – due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The CST announced on Wednesday it had regretfully decided to call off the Dinner, which was scheduled for April 1.

In a statement the CST said: “Following a detailed study of the situation and having taken expert advice, the trustees and management of CST believe that cancelling the event is the only responsible option. The health and safety of our guests, staff and volunteers is paramount.

“We strongly felt that this very painful and difficult decision needed to be taken now. To leave it until later might have been tempting but would ultimately have resulted in more uncertainty, cost and inconvenience for all concerned.”

The dinner, often held at a top West End hotel, usually features a Cabinet Minister among the speakers to address guests.

Last year, Sajid Javid, then Home Secretary, spoke.