Britian's Labour Party changes voting rules for leadership contest
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LONDON (APP) - Britain's Labour party won a legal battle Friday over voting procedures in its leadership contest which has deepened already serious divisions in the main opposition party.
Three judges on the Court of Appeal ruled that 130,000 new party members who joined in the six months up to July 12 cannot vote in the leadership contest, overturning a High Court ruling on Monday.
Friday's decision is a blow to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is opposed by most of his lawmakers but has strong support among grassroots Labour members.
The case had been brought by five pro-Corbyn new members.
The court's decision backed rules originally set by Labour's governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Corbyn is facing a leadership challenge from little-known Labour MP Owen Smith.
A spokesman for Corbyn's campaign said the court had made the "wrong decision, both legally and democratically".
