The new secretary of state for housing, communities and local government has sent a strong message of support to the controversial David Adjaye and Ron Arad-designed proposals for a Holocaust memorial next door to the Houses of Parliament.

In his first pronouncement on the project since replacing James Brokenshire as housing secretary on July 24, Robert Jenrick said backing for the project from faith leaders including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Qari Muhammad Asim, chair of the Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board, was an “important message”.

Adjaye and Arad’s scheme, earmarked for Victoria Tower Gardens immediately south of the Palace of Westminster, has proved divisive because of its proximity to the grade I-listed seat of parliamentary power and the loss of public space it would entail.

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