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Labour leadership: Candidates meet amid vote infiltration claims Labour leadership: Tory infiltration claims 'nonsense,' says Corbyn
(about 2 hours later)
Labour's four leadership candidates are expected to meet acting party leader Harriet Harman, amid claims the vote may be infiltrated by opponents. Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn has rejected as "nonsense" claims the contest has been hijacked by Conservative infiltrators.
Candidate Andy Burnham has said there is "no question" of any legal challenge to the contest. And he said left-wing supporters of other parties who had been banned from voting should have a "right of appeal".
He said Tuesday's meeting was "just to identify the processes to make sure" that Labour's opponents do not vote. Some Tory activists have admitted signing up to vote for Mr Corbyn, who they believe would be bad for Labour.
Ms Harman has said the party's rules are being applied in a robust and even-handed way. The four contenders are meeting acting leader Harriet Harman to discuss concerns about the ballot.
Mr Burnham said it was necessary to ensure "that there are the right processes, that they're as thorough as they need to be and that we can identify the people who are trying to claim a vote on fraudulent grounds." They are seeking clarity about the process for vetting new members and supporters to ensure a fair contest.
He said he had confidence in the process "as long as we get clarification about how the very small number of applications that have been made on a fraudulent basis [are] being dealt with properly". Under new rules, members of the public could sign up to vote in the Labour leadership contest for £3, leading to a major boost in support for the party but sparking fears of infiltration and mischief-making.
'Right of appeal' No legal challenge
The meeting will take place in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, after a BBC Radio 5 live leadership debate taking place now. More than 160,000 people signed up to vote in the final days before the registration deadline, bringing the total size of the electorate to 610,000.
Jeremy Corbyn told 5 live he did not think there was a problem with Tory infiltration and Labour should be pleased that people who have previously supported other parties, such as the Greens, are joining up "because that's how parties grow". Party officials are working round the clock to weed out people who support other parties - but there have also been complaints that people are being unfairly excluded.
He also suggested there should be a "right of appeal" for those who have been prevented by Labour officials from having a vote. Speaking at a BBC Radio 5 live hustings in Stevenage, Mr Corbyn dismissed concerns about the integrity of the process.
"Are there any Tory infiltrators? I think there has been a lot of nonsense in the papers - 600,000 people have either joined the Labour Party or signed up as supporters, we should be pleased about that," he said.
"There are a few Tory MPs I understand tried to register, got rejected. End of story."
He said the Labour Party should welcome supporters of other parties, such as the Greens, "because that's how parties grow".
Leadership rival Andy Burnham said he believed there was a problem, but confirmed that he would not attempt to challenge the result in court even if he was narrowly defeated.
"I wouldn't want to overstate this whole issue, but there is some evidence that Tories are signed up to vote," he told the audience in Stevenage.
Yvette Cooper said candidates should not be involved in how the contest was being run and it was up to the Labour Party to make sure it was a robust process.Yvette Cooper said candidates should not be involved in how the contest was being run and it was up to the Labour Party to make sure it was a robust process.
The fourth candidate, Liz Kendall, agreed, saying it was important to exclude anybody who had actively campaigned against the Labour Party.The fourth candidate, Liz Kendall, agreed, saying it was important to exclude anybody who had actively campaigned against the Labour Party.
There have been claims that opponents of Labour have registered as Labour supporters, giving them a vote.
There have also been complaints about some legitimate voters being unfairly excluded from voting.
Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister John Prescott says the contest could end up splitting the party.Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister John Prescott says the contest could end up splitting the party.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Ross Hawkins, BBC political correspondentBy Ross Hawkins, BBC political correspondent
Time after time, Labour officials have insisted that the leadership election is robust, and some involved in fighting the contest have made clear that they fear it could be deeply flawed.Time after time, Labour officials have insisted that the leadership election is robust, and some involved in fighting the contest have made clear that they fear it could be deeply flawed.
They argue as Andy Burnham's campaign manager Michael Dugher did last week, that a failure now could lead to a legal challenge later.They argue as Andy Burnham's campaign manager Michael Dugher did last week, that a failure now could lead to a legal challenge later.
Some insist data obtained when Labour teams canvassed voters during the election should be used to help weed out opponents of the party who have secured ballot papers, a proposal that so far has been rejected.Some insist data obtained when Labour teams canvassed voters during the election should be used to help weed out opponents of the party who have secured ballot papers, a proposal that so far has been rejected.
Others worry that valid voters could be deprived of a say by over-zealous officials.Others worry that valid voters could be deprived of a say by over-zealous officials.
But there is another concern - that a process designed to enthuse new supporters could see a debate about policies overshadowed by a bitter dispute about the conduct of this election.But there is another concern - that a process designed to enthuse new supporters could see a debate about policies overshadowed by a bitter dispute about the conduct of this election.
Lord Prescott, speaking at a rally for Andy Burnham, compared former leadership contender Chuka Umunna and Tristram Hunt to the so-called "Gang of Four" MPs who left the party to form the SDP in 1981.Lord Prescott, speaking at a rally for Andy Burnham, compared former leadership contender Chuka Umunna and Tristram Hunt to the so-called "Gang of Four" MPs who left the party to form the SDP in 1981.
Mr Umunna and Mr Hunt have established the "Labour for the Common Good" group to look at how it can win back power.Mr Umunna and Mr Hunt have established the "Labour for the Common Good" group to look at how it can win back power.
Lord Prescott said their actions were making him "more than worried" that the party could be heading for a repeat of the 1981 split.Lord Prescott said their actions were making him "more than worried" that the party could be heading for a repeat of the 1981 split.
And ex-Labour cabinet minister Charles Clarke has described the leadership contest as a "disaster".And ex-Labour cabinet minister Charles Clarke has described the leadership contest as a "disaster".
He told Newsnight the new voting rules brought in by former Labour leader Ed Miliband "were a mistake and many people argued that at the time".He told Newsnight the new voting rules brought in by former Labour leader Ed Miliband "were a mistake and many people argued that at the time".
Under new party rules, people have been able to pay £3 to become registered Labour supporters, making them eligible to vote.
All party members, registered supporters and affiliated supporters have a vote in the leadership election.
More than 160,000 people signed up to vote in the final days before the registration deadline, bringing the total size of the electorate to 610,000.
Labour leadership contestLabour leadership contest