Labour Party 'Infiltrators' Claims Dismissed

Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham has dismissed claims the contest has been hijacked by the far-left to secure the election of Jeremy Corbyn as unhelpful.

The shadow health secretary spoke to Sky News as another former Labour Cabinet minister, Alan Milburn, warned that Mr Corbyn would take the party into "political oblivion".

Both comments came after a Labour backbencher claimed the leadership race is "totally out of control" and at risk of being distorted by "infiltrators".

John Mann called for the process to be suspended amid speculation that 140,000 people may have joined the party since the General Election so they can vote for the far-left candidate.

The Communist Party of Great Britain is reported to have urged supporters to join the party and endorse Mr Corbyn.

Under new rules, they only have to pay £3 to have their say in the vote..

But speaking on Sky's Murnaghan programme, Mr Burnham said of the claims: "I don't think it's at all helpful.

"We are in the middle of a good debate and we should keep it positive."

He added: "I am comfortable with people joining the Labour Party.

"Of course there are processes in place to check if someone is joining for the wrong reasons.

"I don't have any evidence that's happening on any wide scale.

"If John has evidence he should send it to the Labour Party."

Caroline Flint, shadow energy secretary and a candidate for deputy leader, called for anyone with evidence of so-called entryists to pass it on to the party.

Asked about her own constituency party, Ms Flint told Murnaghan: "We have new members but nothing that has caused me concern."

She added: "I have no reason to support a suspension of this process."

But Mr Corbyn argued the increase in numbers signing up was due to "young people" getting excited about politics.

Responding to suggestions a shift to the Left would be "bonkers", Mr Corbyn told the BBC: "It's a rather unfortunate use of words, I think people should engage in serious debate."

Former Labour health secretary Mr Milburn, who served under Tony Blair, warned against electing Mr Corbyn to the party's top job.

He told Sky News: "Jeremy is a perfectly nice chap but I don't think even Jeremy thinks he's prime ministerial material.

"That's what we need. The Labour Party needs to get serious."

He added: "If you want to face a decade or more in the political wilderness then continue along the track that some Labour Party members seem to be taking the party, which is into political oblivion.

"We know how Labour gets back on to the political pitch.

"You get back on to the political pitch by not appealing to one part of the electorate but by making sure that you build a coalition of support in the country

"That's how we have won before that's how we can win again."