A High Court judge is set to rule on a bid by five new, paid-up members of the Labour Party on their legal right to vote in the party’s leadership election.
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Labour’s leadership battle has intensified as Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson entered a war of words over the deputy leader’s claims that “Trotsky entryists” were manipulating young party members.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell branded the decision to appeal “absurd”.
The Labour Party was given permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal and a hearing could take place later this week.
“Due this decision, we are now in the absurd position that Labour HQ is wasting members’ money to prevent members having a democratic vote on the leader of their choice, which has already been firmly upheld by a High Court judgement”.
But Mr Smith insisted “of course it’s possible” he could win the contest.
The victor of the contest between Mr Corbyn and Owen Smith is due to be announced on September 24 – the day before the party’s annual conference begins.
The party’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, had imposed a rule which meant that anyone who joined after January 12 had to re-register and pay an extra £25 to become a “registered supporter” in a few days last month in order to have a say in the leadership contest.
The five members, who have crowdfunded their legal fees, are making the case on behalf of the 130,000 Labour supporters affected by the NEC decision.
Kate Harrison, solicitor for the claimants told Sky News they “should” be able to cast a ballot.
Almost 130,000 more left-wingers could be cleared to back Jeremy Corbyn in Labour’s leadership contest today as a judge rules on their right to vote.
Craig said the appeal could be heard as early as Thursday, but it is unclear what impact the delay will further have on the leadership race’s timetable.
However, such members and non-members were then given an extra opportunity to gain the right to vote if they paid £25 between July 18 and 20.
They protested against the Labour National Executive Committee’s decision to bar all members who joined Labour after January 12 from the leadership vote.
“I am deeply grateful for the support of so many: the donations of over 1,700 people to support the substantial costs in taking this action for democracy”. Non-members were given the same opportunity.
It came as Mr Watson suggested “Trots” are attempting to use Labour as a “vehicle for revolutionary socialism”, are not “remotely interested in wining elections” and do not have the “best interests of the Labour Party at heart”.
The others in the group were Christine Evangelou, Hannah Fordham, Chris Granger and “FM”, a new member aged under 18.
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Former shadow work and pensions secretary Mr Smith and Mr Corbyn were both giving speeches today as they stepped up their campaigns.
