Rabbi quits over bank rates demo march

The rabbi of Britain's oldest synagogue has stood down after a row over his part in a demonstration against high bank interest rates.

Rabbi Natan Asmoucha was suspended and faced disciplinary proceedings after allowing the inter-faith march to start at Bevis Marks synagogue in the Square Mile.

A friend said: "[Synagogue leaders] didn't like being involved in anything that could be seen as a rebellion against the establishment. He suffered serious stress." The 22 July rally, by the charity alliance London Citizens, accused banks of propelling people into debt by charging excessive interest rates.

The rabbi was alleged to have exposed his synagogue, which dates to 1701, to risk by allowing protesters to enter without security checks, and was criticised for failing to get permission to take part in a political event.

The congregation's chief executive Howard Miller said only: "The rabbi has left by mutual agreement."