Board of Deputies presidential candidate Alex Brummer has dismissed his rival Laura Marks, describing her as “flip-flopping”.

Speaking at a Liberal and Reform Judaism hustings on Wednesday, Mr Brummer said: “Here we have a candidate standing to be president of the Board of Deputies, who moved from a Reform Synagogue to join a United Synagogue one.

“Then she said she was considering running for president; then vice-president; then she stood down; then out of the blue, she was in the running.

“If that’s not flip-flopping, I do not know what is.”

But the Daily Mail city editor, a member of Richmond United Synagogue, went on to distance himself from comments about Ms Marks made by United Synagogue president Stephen Pack.

Last month, Mr Pack sparked outrage after he said Ms Marks would be a divisive figure as president because of her membership of the Reform Movement.

Mr Brummer, vice-president of the Board, described Mr Pack’s comments as: “Very unfortunate, very divisive and should not have been said.”

The financial journalist went on to talk about the Board’s commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East, and welcomed booming trade between the UK and Israel, which stands at £3 billion according to the latest figures.

Mr Brummer, who grew up in Brighton, also spoke about engaging with regional communities.

The election for president takes place later this month. As well as Mr Brummer and Ms Marks, Board vice-president Jonathan Arkush is also standing.