Labour Ballot: Mark Serwotka's Vote Blocked

The boss of one of the country's largest trade unions says he has been blocked from voting in the Labour leadership election.

Mark Serwotka, who is general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, has hit back at the party over the move, saying it was "extraordinary" he had been told he did not share Labour's values.

He registered to cast his ballot through his membership of another union, the GMB, and backed frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn.

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But he was then told in an email that his vote would not count.

The PCS, which represents civil servants, is not affiliated to the party.

Mr Serwotka said he had voted because he shared the "aims and values" of Mr Corbyn - a phrase Labour is using to ban thousands from participating in the process.

He said he had not been a member of any other party for 20 years, and decided to cast a vote for Labour's next leader because he agreed with the policies of the veteran MP.

Mr Serwotka said: "It is extraordinary to be told you cannot vote because you don't share Labour's values, when no-one (from the party) has spoken to me.

"I voted precisely because I share the aims and values of Jeremy Corbyn on anti-austerity, equality, a fair society and strong trade unions.

"Those are the messages I wanted to positively vote for.

"I have thought for some time we need a new approach to politics in Britain rather than the same old, same old, and that is what Jeremy Corbyn is offering."

His wife Ruth tweeted: "Mark been prevented from voting in a Labour Movement election as an affiliated member. I'm very interested to hear the reasons. #LabourPurge."

A Labour party spokesman would not be drawn on Mr Serwotka's case, but said it was banning anyone who does not share the party's values and aims amid concerns about "infiltrators".

Acting leader Harriet Harman has said there will be no doubt about the "integrity" of the vote.

It follows the revelation that less than 1% of new supporters, around 3,100 people, have been blocked from taking part after officials decided they were infiltrators.

All four of the candidates - Mr Corbyn, Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall - have ruled out a legal challenge over the vote.

:: The four candidates for the Labour leadership will go head-to-head for the final time before voting ends, live on Sky News on Thursday, 3 September. The debate is taking place in Gateshead and if you want to be part of the audience, you can apply here.