– Corbyn’s place on ballot in question –
The leadership contest depends on a decision by Labour’s governing National Executive Committee as to whether Corbyn needs nominations or gets an automatic place on the ballot.
The party’s rules are ambiguous and Corbyn has threatened legal action if he cannot get an automatic spot.
“It’s contrary to all the rules of natural justice and fairness that the sitting leader should not be on the ballot,” Corbyn loyalist Diane Abbott told BBC radio.
“Angela Eagle is in the strange position of wanting to challenge the leadership but not wanting the leader on the ballot,” the party’s health spokeswoman said.
“Angela Eagle is the Empire Strikes Back candidate. She voted for the Iraq war and more besides,” she added.
London School of Economics politics professor Iain Begg said the divisions were “destroying the Labour Party”.
But Begg said a leadership contest in which Corbyn can stand would be “a counterproductive move” since he would likely be re-elected by the party members.
Also on Monday, more than 1,000 lawyers sent a letter to Cameron saying they believe there should be legislation in parliament before Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty – which starts a two-year clock ticking on a country’s exit from the bloc – can be triggered by the incoming premier.
They called for an independent body to be established “to receive evidence and report, within a short, fixed timescale, on the benefits, costs and risks of triggering Article 50 to the UK as a whole, and to all of its constituent populations”.
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