Corbyn condemns ‘waste of time’ legal challenge
Judge rules that the Labour leader should automatically be on the ballot
The High Court has rejected Michael Foster’s challenge to the Labour NEC’s decision that Jeremy Corbyn was entitled to an automatic place on the leadership ballot paper.
The judge ruled that the NEC had ‘reached the correct legal conclusion’ and that the contested articles have ‘a natural and ordinary meaning that seems to me to be entirely clear.’
The general secretary of the Labour Party, Iain McNicol, welcomed the courts decision.
‘We are delighted that the court has upheld the authority and decision of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party,’ he commented. ‘We will continue with the leadership election as agreed by the NEC.’
Corbyn has also welcomed the decision, describing the case as ‘a waste of time and resources when our party should be focused on holding the government to account.’
He continued:
“There should have been no question of the right of half a million Labour Party members to choose their own leader being overturned. If anything, the aim should be to expand the number of voters in this election.
“I hope all candidates and supporters will reject any attempt to prolong this process, and that we can now proceed with the election in a comradely and respectful manner.”
Corbyn’s challenger, Owen Smith, also welcomed the decision:
“I’m pleased the court has done the right thing and ruled that Jeremy should be on the ballot. This now puts to bed any questions about the process, so we can get on with discussing the issues that really matter.”
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