The Metropolitan police has launched an investigation into a historic sexual assault allegation against a leading London Orthodox rabbi, the JC can reveal.

The probe comes after a young woman who went to Rabbi Chaim Halpern for spiritual advice publicly accused him of touching her inappropriately.

The 21-year-old claims that after the incident, in which she alleges he touched her “private parts”, the 64-year-old strictly-Orthodox rabbi, who leads the Divrei Chaim Synagogue in Golders Green, north London, continually telephoned her trying to persuade her to have sex with him.

Speaking exclusively to the JC, his alleged victim, who cannot be named, said: “Reb Chaim thinks that because he’s a rabbi, he can do whatever he wishes.

"He tricked me into trusting him by acting charming, nice and likeable, giving attention and compliments. He invests time into communication such as phone calls and emails, but it’s all just grooming.”

According to a therapist treating the young woman in Israel, where she now lives, the many hours of calls she received from Chaim Halpern which they recorded provide further evidence of inappropriate behaviour by the rabbi.

silhouette gettyimages-514326952-170667a

The unnamed woman claims she was groomed by Rabbi Halpern (Getty Images)

Last night, a Scotland Yard spokesperson confirmed that it had opened an inquiry into the claims. They said: “Officers at North West Command Unit are investigating an allegation of historic sexual assault following information received. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.”

The well-known rabbi had previously faced a similar police investigation into his conduct a decade ago, when he and three others were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and perverting the course of justice. The case was dropped after a nine-month probe.

He was also involved in controversy when police shut down a large wedding party at which he officiated in April 2020, in breach of Covid lockdown rules which allowed gatherings of no more than 10 people.

Video footage taken at the time appeared to show about 40 guests and multiple tables.

The latest claims emerged after his alleged victim gave an interview to Israeli television last month in which she accused him of touching her inappropriately during a religious counselling session.

Rabbi Halpern has denied the allegations. A lawyer for the rabbi told the JC that he would cooperate with the police but he would not “participate in a trial by media”.