Jeremy Newmark and Liberal Judaism Rabbi Danny Rich are both considering standing as Labour candidates in Finchley and Golders Green, the JC understands.

The duo have indicated they would be interested in representing Jeremy Corbyn's party in the marginal seat following previous parliamentary candidate Sara Conway's decision to step down earlier this month.

Finchley and Golders Green has the largest Jewish electorate in the country - and the decision of two of the community's most high-profile figures to consider standing there is sure to spark huge debate.

Both Rabbi Rich and Mr Newmark have attended this year's Labour Conference in Brighton - and were in the audience at Sunday's Jewish Labour Movement rally at Brighton's Middle Street synagogue. However, Rabbi Rich left the JLM event before the end - to be subsequently spotted in the front row of a meeting held by the fringe Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) group.

Asked by the JC about suggestions he would put himself forward for selection in Finchley and Golders Green, Mr Newmark said on Monday he was "proud" of his previous 2017 General Election campaign in which he narrowly missed out on winning the seat.

At present the local Labour Party is likely to instigate an all women shortlist to find a candidate to challenge sitting Tory MP Mike Freer. But as with several other seats, the Labour leadership could decide to impose its own candidates approved by the party's ruling NEC.

Mr Newmark was at the centre of a scandal after the JC published a report into his time as chief executive at the Jewish Leadership Council in which he was accused of deceiving the organisation out of thousands of pounds.

Mr Newmark stood down from the JLC on the grounds of ill health - and a subsequent police investigation into fraud was dropped.

He subsequently also quit as Jewish Labour Movement chair.

But despite these setbacks, Mr Newmark has enjoyed success as leader of the Labour Group on Hertsmere Council - and as a councillor in Borehamwood's Cowley Hill Ward.

He is known to have retained close links with senior figures around Mr Corbyn - and has the respect of Keith Vaz MP, who is also an influential figure on the party's NEC.

Rabbi Rich has also remained a staunch Labour supporter - despite the long-running antisemitism scandal in the party. He is Labour councillor for Barnet's West Finchley ward - and stunned many in the community last year with an invitation to Mr Corbyn to attend Friday night dinner at his home.

Rabbi Rich reacted angrily to a rebuke from JLC chair Jonathan Goldstein last year about his efforts to forge relations between the community and Mr Corbyn's Labour.

Ms Conway, the former candidate for Finchley and Golders Green, stood down citing family commitments. But the decision followed an interview in which she suggested antisemitism claims had been "weaponised."

In a statement to the JC, Mr Newmark said on Monday: "I've currently got my work cut out as Leader of the Opposition at Hertsmere Borough Council. 

"We gained a number of seats in May and my efforts are currently dedicated to ensuring we hold the Tory administration accountable and representing my constituents in Borehamwood’s Cowley Hill Ward. 

"I’m proud of our 2017 General Election Campaign that turned the seat into a marginal and look forward to supporting whoever the local party selects to finish the job."

Rabbi Rich told the JC: “As you are aware all selections, where there is no sitting MP, have been suspended by the NEC.  It is not yet clear what the selection procedure will be and so any expressions of interest are premature."