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Labour party rebuts claims of purge of Corbyn supporters Labour party rebuts claims of purge of Corbyn supporters
(about 1 hour later)
Fewer than 0.5% of the electorate for Labour’s leadership ballot later this month have been denied a vote, the party has announced, as it seeks to rebut claims of a deliberate purge of Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters. Less than 0.5% of the electorate for Labour’s leadership ballot later this month have been denied a vote, the party has announced, as it seeks to rebut claims of a deliberate purge of Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters.
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has complained of a “rigged purge” of potential voters by Labour’s governing national executive committee, and Corbyn has said he would like to examine the cases of those denied a vote; while the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, has accused senior figures of wanting to quash Corbyn’s mandate.The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has complained of a “rigged purge” of potential voters by Labour’s governing national executive committee, and Corbyn has said he would like to examine the cases of those denied a vote; while the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, has accused senior figures of wanting to quash Corbyn’s mandate.
But the party has published figures showing that of the 650,000 people who are either already members, or signed up to vote as registered supporters or trade union affiliates, a total of 3,107 have so far been ruled ineligible on grounds of breaches of party rules, with a further 1,616 cases still awaiting a decision.But the party has published figures showing that of the 650,000 people who are either already members, or signed up to vote as registered supporters or trade union affiliates, a total of 3,107 have so far been ruled ineligible on grounds of breaches of party rules, with a further 1,616 cases still awaiting a decision.
Some applicants – including Bakers’ Union boss Ronnie Draper – have complained about being excluded on the grounds of past comments made on social media, with no details provided about the precise nature of the offence.Some applicants – including Bakers’ Union boss Ronnie Draper – have complained about being excluded on the grounds of past comments made on social media, with no details provided about the precise nature of the offence.
But a party spokesperson said: “The Labour party has a robust validation process for all votes in this year’s leadership contest to ensure every vote cast is eligible according to the party’s rules and agreed procedures.But a party spokesperson said: “The Labour party has a robust validation process for all votes in this year’s leadership contest to ensure every vote cast is eligible according to the party’s rules and agreed procedures.
“The speculation that huge numbers of applicants have been denied a vote has been wildly exaggerated.”“The speculation that huge numbers of applicants have been denied a vote has been wildly exaggerated.”
A detailed breakdown showed that 1,634 had been ruled ineligible by the NEC panels set up to judge cases of party rules being breached.A detailed breakdown showed that 1,634 had been ruled ineligible by the NEC panels set up to judge cases of party rules being breached.
The rules for the contest state: “No abuse of any kind by members or supporters shall be tolerated. All eligible members and supporters must conduct themselves in a calm and polite manner and be respectful to each other at all times. Behaviour including, but not limited to, racist, abusive or foul language, abuse against women, homophobia or antisemitism at meetings, on social media or in any other context will be dealt with according to the rules and procedures of the Labour party.”The rules for the contest state: “No abuse of any kind by members or supporters shall be tolerated. All eligible members and supporters must conduct themselves in a calm and polite manner and be respectful to each other at all times. Behaviour including, but not limited to, racist, abusive or foul language, abuse against women, homophobia or antisemitism at meetings, on social media or in any other context will be dealt with according to the rules and procedures of the Labour party.”
About half of the cases referred to the NEC panels for a decision were rejected, the party said. In addition, 990 people have been excluded because they admitted being a member of another party; and another 434 because they have previously nominated a rival political candidate.About half of the cases referred to the NEC panels for a decision were rejected, the party said. In addition, 990 people have been excluded because they admitted being a member of another party; and another 434 because they have previously nominated a rival political candidate.
Separately, more than 21,000 applicants did not provide details that matched the electoral roll; and in another 3,791 cases, the £25 payment necessary to register as a supporter failed. Separately, more than 21,000 applicants did not provide details that matched the electoral roll. In another 3,791 cases, the £25 payment necessary to register as a supporter failed.
The bitter tone of the leadership election campaign has raised fears about the difficulty of reuniting Labour after the results of the contest are announced on 24 September, on the eve of the party’s annual conference in Liverpool.The bitter tone of the leadership election campaign has raised fears about the difficulty of reuniting Labour after the results of the contest are announced on 24 September, on the eve of the party’s annual conference in Liverpool.
Corbyn’s team have suggested that plans for a closer working relationship between the leader’s office, the shadow cabinet and the parliamentary Labour party will be announced in the run-up to the poll. He will face his challenger, Owen Smith, in a special BBC Question Time programme on Thursday night.Corbyn’s team have suggested that plans for a closer working relationship between the leader’s office, the shadow cabinet and the parliamentary Labour party will be announced in the run-up to the poll. He will face his challenger, Owen Smith, in a special BBC Question Time programme on Thursday night.