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Labour leadership voter registration deadline extended Labour prepares to elect new leader as registration deadline closes
(about 3 hours later)
Labour has extended the deadline to register to vote in its leadership contest after "technical issues" with its website. The Labour Party is preparing to elect its next leader after thousands of new members signed up to vote.
The party moved the cut-off to 15:00 BST after complaints from supporters. Candidates had urged supporters to sign up and the deadline, which has now passed, was extended after "technical issues" with the website.
Thousands of new members are thought to be signing up to back left-wing candidate Jeremy Corbyn, sparking a row within the party. Ballot papers will begin to be sent out on Friday, and the result announced at a special conference on 12 September.
Labour has also reassured candidates amid fears the process is being sabotaged by members of other parties. There have been calls to pause the contest over fears the process is being sabotaged by members of other parties.
Mr Corbyn tweeted that the system was "struggling with all the sign-ups" and urged supporters to register before the new deadline. These have been dismissed by the party, which says efforts to weed out non-party supporters will continue up until results day.
Earlier left wing candidate Jeremy Corbyn tweeted that the system was "struggling with all the sign-ups", although this was not confirmed by the party.
Latest figures show almost 450,000 people are eligible to vote in the contest - party officials said 1,200 applications have so far been rejected as bogus.Latest figures show almost 450,000 people are eligible to vote in the contest - party officials said 1,200 applications have so far been rejected as bogus.
Speaking on BBC Radio 2, backbench MP Graham Stringer, one of those calling for the contest to be halted over "infiltration" fears, said the election "has no credibility".Speaking on BBC Radio 2, backbench MP Graham Stringer, one of those calling for the contest to be halted over "infiltration" fears, said the election "has no credibility".
"I do not mind if Jeremy Corbyn is elected by the Labour Party," he said, adding that if Mr Corbyn was elected by party members, "that's democracy"."I do not mind if Jeremy Corbyn is elected by the Labour Party," he said, adding that if Mr Corbyn was elected by party members, "that's democracy".
He added: "But if members of other parties elect him that is a conspiracy."He added: "But if members of other parties elect him that is a conspiracy."
Ballot papers will begin to be sent out on Friday, and the result will be announced at a special conference on 12 September. But another MP, Diane Abbott, told BBC News such calls were "silly", saying the party was "bending over backwards" to ensure no foul play.
On Twitter, Labour apologised that the site had been down, with some users replying to say they were still experiencing problems.On Twitter, Labour apologised that the site had been down, with some users replying to say they were still experiencing problems.
'Greatest disaster''Greatest disaster'
The popularity of Mr Corbyn's campaign has sparked warnings from his rival candidates and other senior party figures about a shift to the left.The popularity of Mr Corbyn's campaign has sparked warnings from his rival candidates and other senior party figures about a shift to the left.
Former Tony Blair adviser John McTernan told the BBC it would be "the greatest disaster in the history of the Labour Party" if the Islington North MP were to win.Former Tony Blair adviser John McTernan told the BBC it would be "the greatest disaster in the history of the Labour Party" if the Islington North MP were to win.
In response, left wing journalist Owen Jones said: "If Jeremy Corbyn wins, he wins because he has an overwhelming decisive mandate from Labour Party membership."In response, left wing journalist Owen Jones said: "If Jeremy Corbyn wins, he wins because he has an overwhelming decisive mandate from Labour Party membership."
Labour leadership contestLabour leadership contest
At-a-glance profiles of the four contendersAt-a-glance profiles of the four contenders
The Labour Party has more than doubled in size since May's general election, with tens of thousands of people either becoming full members or registered supporters, driven to a large extent by a social media campaign by Corbyn supporters.The Labour Party has more than doubled in size since May's general election, with tens of thousands of people either becoming full members or registered supporters, driven to a large extent by a social media campaign by Corbyn supporters.
Labour says it now has 282,000 full members - an increase of more than 80,000 since the general election defeat.Labour says it now has 282,000 full members - an increase of more than 80,000 since the general election defeat.
A further 70,000 people have become registered supporters, meaning they are able to take part in the vote for a £3 fee if they agree they "support the aims and values of the Labour Party".A further 70,000 people have become registered supporters, meaning they are able to take part in the vote for a £3 fee if they agree they "support the aims and values of the Labour Party".
There are also 92,000 "affiliated supporters", largely trade union members.There are also 92,000 "affiliated supporters", largely trade union members.
Many of these people, including most of the affiliated supporters category, are "awaiting verification", Labour says.Many of these people, including most of the affiliated supporters category, are "awaiting verification", Labour says.
The campaign teams of all four candidates attended a meeting on Tuesday designed to clear up confusion around how the contest would work.The campaign teams of all four candidates attended a meeting on Tuesday designed to clear up confusion around how the contest would work.
Earlier Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said he too believed the process may have to be rerun and warned that if Mr Corbyn wins he would not be able to command discipline amongst Labour MPs - many of whom would not vote for "crazy left-wing stuff".Earlier Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said he too believed the process may have to be rerun and warned that if Mr Corbyn wins he would not be able to command discipline amongst Labour MPs - many of whom would not vote for "crazy left-wing stuff".
Labour has dismissed such calls, and says it has a robust system in place to detect non-party supporters who are attempting to vote.Labour has dismissed such calls, and says it has a robust system in place to detect non-party supporters who are attempting to vote.