Steven Maclean also celebrated the decision said: “It’s great news that the nearly 130,000 barred Labour Party members will be able to vote, but it’s shameful that the High Court has had to intervene to make sure that a political party adheres to its own democratic process, and makes clear to all the extent these people will go to obstruct democracy”.
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“We are appalled by the possibility of an unnecessary and costly appeal”, said McDonnell, who also chairs Corbyn’s campaign.
It is not clear what proportion of new members had signed up in order to vote for him again.
“Now many more members will have the chance to vote in the leadership election, I am today calling for an extension of the timetable so that all members have the opportunity to engage with Jeremy and me before making their choice”.
The court action affects nearly 130,000 Labour supporters who are subject of the freeze.
The ruling by the High Court is thought to benefit left wing incumbent Jeremy Corbyn, as a large amount of those who had joined the party in recent months are believed to be his supporters.
With the British economy “on the cliff edge of another recession”, Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative government must take “urgent action” to avoid the country becoming the “sick man leaving Europe”, Smith is due to say on Monday afternoon in a speech in Newcastle, northern England.
Mr Smith told them that tackling inequality is a priority for him, including ensuring the United Kingdom 500,000 Sikhs, of which 134,000 live in the West Midlands, should be better represented.
“However, we understand the Labour Party are considering appealing this decision”.
He said: “Our members can not afford years of principled opposition, with a Labour party divided and unable to secure the confidence of voters”.
“Labour wants to be a mass movement. We are the Labour Party we should be the guardians of better values, of caring for one another, of solidarity”.
He said: “We should be nothing other than pleased that there are so many people taking part in what is an incredible democratic exercise”.
The challenger for the Labour leadership position, Owen Smith, also laid out his plans for tackling gender inequality at the hustings, including ensuring that 50% of Labour MPs and members of the Shadow Cabinet are women.
Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: “This is a victory for democracy”.
A senior Labour source said: “If Labour loses the appeal, the position of Iain McNicol becomes untenable”.
Any appeal could be held as early as Thursday but there were doubts as to whether Labour would actually choose to pursue this option.
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“It’s time for all of us in the Labour Party to come together and fight the Tories”.
