A Jeremy for Labour spokesman accused Mr Watson of orchestrating the party’s appeal against a High Court ruling that new Labour members should be allowed to vote in the leadership election – an apparent boost to Mr Corbyn.
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The party’s governing National Executive Committee had decided people who had been members for less than six months up to July 12 could not vote in the contest between embattled leader Jeremy Corbyn and relatively unknown challenger Owen Smith.
Five members challenged that decision and a High Court judge ruled that they had joined the party on the basis they would be able to vote in any leadership contest.
He said at the time each of the five joined the party “it was the common understanding, as reflected in the rule book, that, if they joined the party prior to the election process commencing, as new members they would be entitled to vote in any leadership contest”.
If it loses the appeal, Labour is likely to have to refund the £25 supporter fee paid by new members at a potential cost of several million pounds and will have to work out how to stop those individuals having a duplicate vote. Many believe these new members will vote mostly for Corbyn, although that’s mostly based on what happened in the last leadership election rather than any new polling.
Other backers directly bringing the legal action included Christine Evangelou, Rev Edward Leir and Chris Granger.
He said: “We should be nothing other than pleased that there are so many people taking part in what is an incredible democratic exercise”.
She also criticised Corbyn’s failure to intervene publicly when allegations emerged that she was referred to as “Angie the dyke” in a local Labour party AGM, which she reported had made her feel “very intimidated”.
“This is a good day for democracy, a good day for my clients who are proud to be members of the party that stands for social justice, and a good day for the Labour Party”.
Labour’s leadership battle descended into farce today after judges ruled the party had unlawfully blocked up to 130,000 activists from voting.
Justice Hickinbottom said the Labour NEC did not have the powers to restrict the voting rights of members and it would be “unlawful as in breach of contract”.
Burnham has now been chosen as Labour’s candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral election in May 2017.
The Labour party has been given permission to appeal to the court of appeal, which will hear the case at 10:30 on Thursday.
“After Labour’s National Executive Committee ruled that we weren’t allowed to vote, we took the decision to challenge its decision in court”.
“As the next Labour Prime Minister, I would introduce radical plans to deliver the biggest increase in living standards in a generation”.
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Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was not present in court, although a top aide to John McDonnell was present.
