Jeremy Newmark, the ex-Jewish Leadership Council chief executive and Jewish Labour Movement chair, has been re-elected as a councillor despite a scandal over alleged fraud.
Last year, the JC revealed an internal JLC audit had reported that Cllr Newmark had deceived the JLC out of tens of thousands of pounds, and misled charities about the cost of projects during his time as chief executive.
A subsequent report, published in February, found £111,734 in JLC funds could not be accounted for, while an another £266,189 merited further investigation.
A police investigation was opened but later shelved.
LOCAL ELECTIONS RESULTS ALERT:https://t.co/gPyYkl4aie #LE2019 #LocalElections2019 pic.twitter.com/01wtHb2E4O
— Hertsmere BC (@HertsmereBC) May 3, 2019
Cllr Newmark was re-elected to his Borehamwod Cowley Hill ward within Hertsmere Borough Council on Thursday, alongside two other Labour candidates.
Richard Butler and Michelle Vince won 879 and 866 votes, respectively, while Cllr Newmark received 733 votes.
Cllr Newmark has been the leader of the Hertsmere Labour group since October 2017.
Final hour of polling. Rallying the troops. Just sent team of 40 volunteers out in a key polling district. Thanks to the wonderful @EmmaWhysall for coming over from Chipping Barnet and leading the final push.... #VoteLabourInHertsmere pic.twitter.com/G8wYG4qE9I
— Jeremy Newmark (@Jeremy_Newmark) May 2, 2019
He also came 1,657 votes short of unseating Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer in the 2017 general election.
Elsewhere in Hertsmere, Jewish Conservative candidate Sam Lawrence, 21, became the borough’s youngest elected councillor. He is a second year politics student at the University of Nottingham.
He posted to Facebook: “It’s been a privilege to work with such a wonderful team on the campaign whilst learning about the most pressing issues that our constituents face.
“It may have been a rough night for the party nationally, but the most important thing now is to get the job done that we were put here to do.
“Congratulations to all who ran and thank you to all who voted for me!”
