Labour has confirmed it postponed a planned roundtable meeting of Jewish organisations and individuals from across the UK because of "the unavailability of the majority of those invited”.

An email sent by Laura Murray, the stakeholder manager of Jeremy Corbyn's office, apologised yesterday afternoon for "any inconvenience caused by this change of plan”.

But Ms Murray also wrote: “We are committed to engaging with the Jewish community and we are aware that this may be more appropriately done through a series of smaller meetings. 

"I hope to be in touch with you to invite you to such a meeting in due course."

The plan for a roundtable meeting with Mr Corbyn and new Labour general secretary Jennie Formby was thrown into chaos after the JC revealed an invitation had been extended to the controversial Jewish Voice for Labour group.

Most organisations and individuals - including the Community Security Trust, JW3, the Jewish Rep Council of Greater Manchester and the Masorti and Liberal movements - refused to attend following a call by the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council to snub the event.

In her email Ms Murray added: "If anybody had booked travel to London for this meeting, please let me know so that the Labour Party can reimburse you."

There had been confusion earlier yesterday after a source close to Mr Corbyn said the meeting had never been confirmed and had never gone beyond the early planning stages. An email invitation had been sent to numerous parties, stating the date, time and place.

The Board and the JLC will meet Mr Corbyn at 5pm today.