Recently joined Labour members win right to vote in leadership contest in court case against National Executive

Around 130,000 new Labour members could be able to vote in the party's leadership contest following a successful legal challenge against the ruling National Executive Committee.

The decision is a huge boost to Jeremy Corbyn's re-election campaign, as the majority of those who have signed up since the beginning of the year are believed to support him.

The party have been granted permission for an appeal, which will be heard on Thursday at the Court of Appeal.

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Corbyn's key ally Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell welcomed the result. "We are appalled by possibility of an unnecessary & costly appeal. It's unacceptable to use members money to stop members from voting," he tweeted.

The case in the High Court centred on a claim from five new members who challenged the NEC's decision to bar people who had become members or registered supporters after January 12.

The move was criticised at the time as an attempt to stop supporters of Corbyn from taking part in the election.

Stephen Cragg QC, representing the five members, argued that Labour's internal rules did not specify a distinction between which members could and could not vote. 

He successfully argued that the NEC's decision amounted to a breach of contract with those who had paid to sign up as a member or registered supporter since January. 

Mr Justice Hickinbottom said the claimants had been "entirely successful", adding: "“These people have paid their dues for the legal right to vote in the forthcoming leadership election.” 

The ruling could spark more controversy as thousands of people paid £25 during a specially convened two-day window in July in order to vote in the election. 

Had the NEC not decided to bar new members from voting, they would have been able to pay just £3 to become registered supporters and vote for Corbyn or his rival Owen Smith.