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A woman who has supported Labour for most of her life was shocked to be rejected when she tried to join the party following a "cult-like" telephone call from party researchers.

Cassie Ogden, from Trevor, Wrexham, wanted to join and cast a vote in the party’s leadership election after being inspired by surprise front runner, Jeremy Corbyn.

Around a month ago she applied in writing to join the party.

On Tuesday she received a telephone call from party researchers during which they asked her which party she voted for in the General Election and she replied, Plaid Cymru.

The following day she received an email rejecting her application.

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Some in the Labour party have expressed fears that the leadership election could be infiltrated by non-supporters to skew the result.

Cassie, 35, a university researcher said: “I have supported Labour for the majority of my life, although I did vote Plaid at the last election because I believe there are similar policies with Jeremy Corbyn on some issues.

“I have never been a member of another political party, but I wanted to join Labour after Jeremy became involved in the leadership race and I wanted to vote. Isn’t that the nature of politics? You can disagree and debate?

“On Tuesday, I got this telephone call from a party researcher, basically telling me they had reason to believe that I didn’t support the Labour statement of commitment.

“I was at home with my child and I was having this accusation levelled at me. I am really on the back foot and in a bit of shock. I was asked to repeat the Labour commitment statement again, which I did, but it felt like I was joining some sort of cult.

“This is a democracy and support can change.

“They asked me who I voted at the last election. I should have said none of your business, but I said Plaid and that was it.”

Cassie, who would have voted for Mr Corbyn, the MP for Islington North, was then officially rejected by email.

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A Labour Party spokesman said they would not comment on individual cases.

But he said: “The Labour Party has a robust system to prevent fraudulent or malicious applications.

“All applications to join the Labour Party as a member, affiliate or supporter are verified, and those who are identified by our verification team as being candidates, members or supporters of another political party will be denied a vote.”

The party said there are several reasons why prospective party members could be rejected.

They include not being on the electoral register, or having stood for another political party at the last general election, local elections or European elections.

They also include people who nominated candidates for other parties at previous elections, and those who are known campaigners for, or members of, other parties.