Jeremy Corbyn’s spokesman has accused the deputy leader Tom Watson of “peddling baseless conspiracy theories” and orchestrating an attempt to rig the Labour leadership contest.

In a further breakdown in relations, the Labour leader’s campaign team accused Mr Watson of forcing through a decision try and stop 130,000 new members having a vote in the leadership.

The statement issued on Tuesday afternoon also accuses Mr Watson of supporting a “Project Fear” campaign against Mr Corbyn and claims he had been “patronising” party members.