Radical Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn will host a public meeting in Dundee as he bids to take control of the party, The Courier can reveal.
The event on August 13 is thought to be the first time any of the candidates has ventured out of Scotland’s central belt during the campaign. It is being organised by the Dundee Labour Trade Union Coordinating Group. A time and venue are still to be confirmed.
An opinion poll last week suggested Mr Corbyn was on course to defeat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, provoking a strong reaction from some within the party.
Acting leader Harriet Harman has been urged to suspend the leadership race amid fears it is being warped by a wave of hard-left “infiltrators”.
There is speculation that 140,000 more activists could be eligible to vote than before the election with many of them signing up just to back Mr Corbyn.
Under new rules, people can pay £3 and take part.
It has emerged that Neil Findlay, Mr Corbyn’s Scottish campaign manager, urged those opposed to austerity and nuclear arms to “put aside differences for a short period” and register.
Backbencher John Mann told the Sunday Times the contest was “totally out of control” and demanded Mrs Harman step in so proper background checks can be conducted.
Mr Corbyn insisted the influx to Labour was mainly “young people” enthused by politics.
He told yesterday’s Andrew Marr Show Labour lost the election because it was “too close to big business too close to the economic orthodoxy”.
Mr Burnham warned there is a “real risk” the party could split if he does not defeat Mr Corbyn.