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| Labour leadership: Legal action against Corbyn ballot vote | Labour leadership: Legal action against Corbyn ballot vote |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A legal challenge to Jeremy Corbyn's right to automatically stand in the Labour leadership contest is being heard. | |
| Donor and former candidate Michael Foster is contesting Labour's decision to allow Mr Corbyn onto the ballot paper without him having to secure nominations from 50 other MPs and MEPs. | Donor and former candidate Michael Foster is contesting Labour's decision to allow Mr Corbyn onto the ballot paper without him having to secure nominations from 50 other MPs and MEPs. |
| Labour's National Executive Committee backed the move by 18 to 14 votes. | Labour's National Executive Committee backed the move by 18 to 14 votes. |
| Mr Corbyn is taking on former work and pensions spokesman Owen Smith. | Mr Corbyn is taking on former work and pensions spokesman Owen Smith. |
| As a challenger, Mr Smith had to win the backing of 20% of Labour's MPs and MEPs to be eligible to stand - a hurdle he overcame easily. | As a challenger, Mr Smith had to win the backing of 20% of Labour's MPs and MEPs to be eligible to stand - a hurdle he overcame easily. |
| But the NEC's decision that, as an incumbent, Mr Corbyn did not have to adhere to the same requirements has proved to be controversial. | But the NEC's decision that, as an incumbent, Mr Corbyn did not have to adhere to the same requirements has proved to be controversial. |
| The NEC backed Mr Corbyn's automatic inclusion following a highly-charged meeting earlier this month. Labour's ruling body, of which Mr Corbyn is a member, is reported to have taken a range of legal advice before making its decision. | The NEC backed Mr Corbyn's automatic inclusion following a highly-charged meeting earlier this month. Labour's ruling body, of which Mr Corbyn is a member, is reported to have taken a range of legal advice before making its decision. |
| Mr Foster, who unsuccessfully stood in the seat of Camborne and Redruth at the last general election, has expressed concerns about "apparent manipulation" of the party's rules and questioned whether the legal advice was given proper consideration. | Mr Foster, who unsuccessfully stood in the seat of Camborne and Redruth at the last general election, has expressed concerns about "apparent manipulation" of the party's rules and questioned whether the legal advice was given proper consideration. |
| But deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, who also participated in the NEC meeting, has said its decision must be respected and the legal challenge is "very unhelpful". | But deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, who also participated in the NEC meeting, has said its decision must be respected and the legal challenge is "very unhelpful". |
| A judge is hearing arguments in the case in central London, although it is unclear when a ruling is expected. | |
| The outcome of the leadership election is due to be announced on 24 September. | The outcome of the leadership election is due to be announced on 24 September. |
| It emerged on Monday that Labour is facing legal action from people who joined the party since the EU referendum after the NEC decided only those who signed up on or before 12 January could automatically vote. | It emerged on Monday that Labour is facing legal action from people who joined the party since the EU referendum after the NEC decided only those who signed up on or before 12 January could automatically vote. |
| Solicitors Harrison Grant said they had issued proceedings against the Labour Party "on behalf of a number of new members who have been denied the opportunity to vote in the forthcoming leadership election". | Solicitors Harrison Grant said they had issued proceedings against the Labour Party "on behalf of a number of new members who have been denied the opportunity to vote in the forthcoming leadership election". |
| More recent joiners were given the opportunity to vote by becoming registered supporters at a cost of £25 each. | More recent joiners were given the opportunity to vote by becoming registered supporters at a cost of £25 each. |