JEREMY Corbyn has successfully seen off a legal attempt to prevent him from taking part in the Labour leadership race.

The bid by a party donor was denounced by the leader as a “waste of time and resources”.

The Islington MP’s victory at the High Court in London means the contest for the Labour crown continues towards the result on September 24 as planned.

However, the judge’s decision came as the details of a UKwide opinion poll were published, which suggested Mr Corbyn’s rival Owen Smith had majority support among the general public – 57 per cent to 43 – but among Labour supporters the leader was well ahead – 75 per cent to 25.

It is, of course, party members, affiliates and registered supporters – a combined electorate of around 600,000 – who are eligible to vote.

The legal action was brought by Michael Foster, who claimed Labour rules had been "misapplied" when the party’s national executive committee[NEC] voted by a majority of 18 to 14 to give Mr Corbyn an automatic place on the ballot paper without needing to obtain the backing of 20 per cent of Labour MPs and MEPs; 51 nominations.

Given that the party leader had lost a vote of no confidence among his MPs by 172 votes to 40, then Mr Corbyn might have had difficulty in getting the necessary number of nominations if he had had to.

The London MP was not at the courthouse when Mr Justice Foskett dismissed Mr Foster's claim.

But afterwards, he said in a statement: "I welcome the decision by the High Court to respect the democracy of the Labour Party. This has been a waste of time and resources when our party should be focused on holding the Government to account.”

He argued that there should have never been a question of the right of some 500,000 party members to choose their own leader being overturned. If anything, suggested the Islington MP, the aim should have been to expand the number of voters in this election.

"I hope all candidates and supporters will reject any attempt to prolong this process and that we can now proceed with the election in a comradely and respectful manner," declared Mr Corbyn.

Mr Foster brought the case against the party's general secretary, Iain McNicol, who was sued in a representative capacity, as well as Mr Corbyn.

Following the court's decision, Mr McNicol said he was delighted that the court had upheld the authority and decision of the NEC.

Mr Smith, the MP for Pontypridd, said he too was pleased with the court ruling, noting that it “puts to bed any questions about the process, so we can get on with discussing the issues that really matter”.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of rail union Aslef, added: "The judge saw this for what it was; a specious and sneaky bid to prevent the Labour Party coming to a democratic decision and electing the leader."

The BMG Research online snapshot of 1,551 adults also showed that 57 per cent of people surveyed felt Labour under Mr Corbyn’s leadership was failing to provide proper opposition to the Conservative government; some 16 per cent disagreed.

Even among Labour supporters, 44 per cent thought the party was failing to provide an effective opposition compared to only 38 per cent, who said it was.

Michael Turner for the pollsters highlighted the disparity in support for Mr Corbyn among the general public and Labour supporters.

He told the London Evening Standard: “All the evidence suggests that Labour would be far more electable under Mr Smith. People, who currently would not vote for the party but say they may consider it, are far more in favour of a party led by him. He is also more attractive to current Liberal Democrat and Ukip supporters.

“But,” he added, “Mr Corbyn is still hugely more popular among current Labour backers.”

According to the bookies, the incumbent is odds-on to win.