Scottish defence workers' 'jobs at risk if independent'
Thousands of defence jobs will be at risk if Scotland votes for independence in September, according to Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.
Nigel Farage criticises EU allowance claim 'smear'
Ukip leader Nigel Farage said he is the victim of a "smear", after a newspaper claimed that he faces an investigation into his allowances.
GP services overhauled as extended hours revealed
Over seven million patients are expected to benefit after 1100 GP practices announced they were to extend their hours.
Live updates
Trident will not go 'quick and easy', warns Hammond
The UK's nuclear deterrent, Trident, will not be got rid of "quick and easy" if Scotland votes for independence, the Defence Secretary is expected to say.
– Philip HammondHe (Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond) also wants to dictate the timescales for removing our nuclear deterrent within the first term of Parliament following independence.
But Alex Salmond knows, as I know, that the future of our naval base at Faslane would be just one of many defence issues that would be the subject of long and protracted negotiations if there were to be a Yes vote in the referendum.
Because if they insist that it has to go, there would have to be complex talks about the costs and timescales involved. Any notion that it would be quick and easy is just plain wrong.
Hammond warns of 'long negotiations' over UK defence
There will be "long and protracted negotiations" over the future of Britain's defences and armed forces if Scotland votes to become independent this September, according to Philip Hammond.
Read: Alex Salmond: Let Scotland decide its own future
Read: Davey: Scottish independence would 'hinder energy sector'
The Defence Secretary will outline his argument for Scotland remaining in the union in a speech at electronics company Thales Optronics in Glasgow, touching on issues like Trident nuclear weapons.
He will say that defence "provides the security and the peace of mind that underpins almost every single other area of this debate".
He will add: "What we have is precious... It is our shared history, our common values and our unity of purpose which makes us what we are today. It is Scotland which makes the UK united, and adds the Great to Great Britain.
"Drawn from the four corners of these islands, nothing epitomises more the strength we derive from being a United Kingdom than the men and women in our Navy, Army and Air Force, coming together with a common purpose, to keep our country and our people safe and secure."
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Nigel Farage 'faces £60,000 expenses probe'
Nigel Farage is reportedly facing an investigation into tens of thousands of pounds worth of 'missing' European Union expenses allegedly paid into his personal bank account.
According to the Times, Mr Farage has received around £15,500 per year since 2009 to pay for upkeep of his constituency office in Bognor Regis.
But the newspaper claims that the office - a converted grain store near Bognor Regis - was given for free to the party leader by Ukip supporters 15 years ago.
Once utilities and other non-rental costs are factored in, the Times estimates that around £12,000 a year is left unexplained.
A Ukip spokesman responded: “Nigel Farage is confident that he has abided by European parliamentary rules at all times when spending allowances.”
Tory MP denies 'pressuring' Evans complainants
A Conservative MP has denied she pushed two men to go the police with allegations against former deputy speaker Nigel Evans, and says Westminster is "turning a blind eye" to harassment claims.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Dr Sarah Wollaston said she made the offer to step down to the two complainants if they felt she had "pressured them to take the complaint forward".
The Totnes MP raised allegations linked to Mr Evans with Speaker John Bercow before complaints were lodged with the police.
She says she has faced "rank hostility" since the Ribble Valley MP was acquitted of a string of sexual offence charges last week.
Mr Evans, who currently sits as an independent, noted in an interview with the Daily Mail of Dr Wollaston: "It was mentioned to her as a throwaway remark yet she pursued it. For whatever reason, she decided to have it in for me."
Nigel Evans: Legal safeguards are needed for defendants
Nigel Evans, the former Commons Deputy Speaker, has told ITV News he wants new legal safeguards to stop others being put through "the fires of hell".
The MP was acquitted on sexual assault charges last week but says he was pursued by prosecutors who acted like "zealots".
ITV News Correspondent Martin Geissler reports:
GP services overhauled as extended hours revealed
Over seven million patients are expected to benefit after 1100 GP practices announced they were to extend their hours.
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Evans entitled to 'at least part' of £130k legal costs
Tory MP Nigel Evans is entitled to reclaim part of his legal costs from successfully defending himself against charges of rape and sexual assault, the Ministry of Justice has said.
A spokesman said:
"Anyone who has applied for legal aid and is subsequently acquitted of a crime is entitled to be repaid at least part of their legal costs - irrespective of whether their application was accepted."
Read: MP Nigel Evans considered suicide 'in darkest moments'
Evans: Time to look at changing anonymity in rape cases
Tory MP Nigel Evans has called for a rethink of the law relating to rape cases, telling ITV News it is not right for those making allegations to remain anonymous while defendants' names are publicised.
Read: MP Nigel Evans considered suicide 'in darkest moments'
Nigel Evans: Trial made me realise cost of legal aid cuts
Conservative MP Nigel Evans has told ITV News the "trauma" of his trial for sexual assault made him realise the "first-hand consequences" of cutting legal aid.
He admitted he "might well" have voted for the cuts, but now understood the problems they could create for people.
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons said cutting legal aid can leave people "doubly punished" if they have to defend themselves and then foot huge legal bills, even if they are acquitted.
Read: MP Nigel Evans considered suicide 'in darkest moments'
Vince Cable to appear on The Agenda tonight
Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, will join ITV News Political Editor Tom Bradby on The Agenda tonight.
Also on the panel will be the children's author Michael Morpurgo, the novelist and columnist Allison Pearson and the actress and writer Emma Kennedy.
They will be discussing bad behaviour in schools, the housing crisis and ageism.
The Agenda with Tom Bradby is on ITV tonight at 10:35pm.
Get involved in the debate during the show using the hashtag #theagenda and following @agendaitv.
