Later on Tuesday the party’s national executive committee will make a crucial ruling over whether Corbyn’s name is automatically on the ballot paper for the leadership election, or whether he, like his challenger, needs to find 51 lawmakers to back him.
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The secret NEC vote went 18-14 in the Labour leader’s favour following hours of talks.
He said: “I think there are many people out there who voted in good faith for Brexit and who felt they were doing the right thing for their families and their communities and I respect them for taking that decision”.
Mr Corbyn declared he was delighted to be included on the ballot paper and pledged to campaign “on all the things that matter”.
“All other leadership candidates will require nominations from 20 per cent of the PLP and EPLP”.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell, a key ally of Mr Corbyn, said on Twitter: “Jeremy on the ballot”.
Labour Party members, affiliated trade union supporters and so-called registered supporters are able to vote although there are some key differences from the 2015 contest, which Corbyn won a year ago.
“The fact he did so shows the contempt with which he views the majority of elected Labour MPs”, said Mr Blenkinsop. “And I am determined to win it”, she said on Twitter.
Owen Smith, who quit as shadow work and pensions secretary from Corbyn’s shadow cabinet last month, joins Angela Eagle in a bid to oust the leader who has become increasingly unpopular within the party ranks.
Foster said he did not vote for Corbyn in the last leadership election but said the rules should not be bent to a particular political circumstance, and should be arbitrated by a neutral body.
He tweeted on Sunday: “I am not prepared to stand by and see our party split”.
Mr Smith’s announcement came amid reports the NEC had suspended all local Constituency Labour Party meetings until the end of the leadership campaign following complaints of harassment and intimidation.
Socialist stalwart Corbyn, who is highly popular with party members, has lost the confidence of three-quarters of his party’s MPs, triggering Eagle to step forward on Monday.
Mr Corbyn has publicly condemned intimidation and abuse of his opponents within the party, adding that he had faced much abuse himself. I welcome the contest ahead.
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However Ms Eagle said Mr Corbyn needed to do more to stop the acts of violence and abuse.
