Tom Barton
BBC Look East political reporter

Mary Markham has claimed Northampton South MP David Mackintosh had been "very distant" from his constituency party.

She said he had not been able to attend executive board meetings since January and that he does not attend association meetings.

"It's fair to say there isn't really a relationship," she said.

Image source, Getty Images

But Mr Mackintosh said: "My door has always been open to constituents and members of the party who want to speak to me about the loan or any other issue."

Most of the £10.25m loan to Northampton Town Football Club, which was arranged by the club's previous owners and Northampton Borough Council, when Mr Mackintosh was leader, remains unaccounted for.  

Tom Barton
BBC Look East political reporter

David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council at the time of the £10.25m loan to the Cobblers has issued a statement saying: "I apologise for the part I played in the granting of the loan to Northampton Town Football Club, and I am sorry that our efforts to support the club ended as they did.

"I do however refute the suggestion that undue pressure was put on officers to deliver the loan."

A report from PricewatershouseCoopers said that the loan, most of which hasn't been repaid, was rushed through due to "political and management" pressure.

However, Mary Markham, who is a member of the local Tory party's executive board and followed Mr Mackintosh as leader, said: "I'm disappointed that David Mackintosh hasn't spoken out to his electorate, hasn't spoken out to the association."

Stuart Linnell
BBC Radio Northampton

The relationship between the Northampton South MP and his constituency members has collapsed over the £10.25m loan to Cobblers club, a senior party figure has said.

Conservative MP David Mackintosh was criticised in a report, external over the loan to Northampton Town from the borough council when he was leader.

His successor as leader, Mary Markham, said his conduct had "undoubtedly damaged" the Conservatives' reputation.

However Mr Mackintosh said he had "never asked or pressured officers to cut corners".

Mrs Markham resigned as leader of the borough council in October, citing her concern that the Borough was in danger of wasting public money over a planning issue involving a pub.

BBC Sport

Jamille Matt's early header secured Blackpool's place in the FA Cup third round, but they were pushed all the way by National League North side Brackley in their 1-0 victory at Bloomfield Road.

It took just six minutes for League Two Blackpool to assert their superiority as Brad Potts' sweeping cross found Matt at the far post and the striker nodded home from just three yards.

But Brackley pushed their higher rank opponents all the way - and were a 78th minute goal-line clearance from securing a replay on Saturday.

BBC Sport

Winger George North was not knocked out after a mid-air tackle forced him off the field to be assessed against Leicester on Saturday evening, Northampton Saints said.

The Wales international, who has suffered concussions in the past, fell heavily in a tackle that led to Adam Thompstone being sin-binned.

North, 24, left the field for a mandatory head injury assessment before returning to the action, but said he is "ok".

BBC Sport

Northampton Town's  FA Cup second-round tie at Northern Premier League side Stourbridge was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

Referee Andy Davies checked the pitch conditions at the War Memorial Ground and called the game off an hour and 45 minutes before Sunday's scheduled kick-off.

The match has been rearranged for Tuesday, 13 December at 19:45.

Both sides will now go into the draw for the third round, which takes place on Monday at 19:00.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

A cold start to the day, with widespread frost.

Mist and fog patches will gradually lift, to bring some sunshine.

It'll feel cold with temperatures between 2C and 8C (35F - 46F).

BBC Weather has more details for where you live.

Pete Cooper
BBC Local Live

Good morning.

It is very cold this morning. But we are still here to bring you all the news, sport, weather and travel you need until 18:00.

We'll have the chilly weather first, and then look at the weekend's sport, including one game that succumbed to the freezing temperatures.

Plus you'll hear the thoughts of the previous leader of Northampton Borough Council, Mary Markham, on the report published into the loan to Northampton Town Football Club.

A man dies in a mid-air crash between a glider and another light aircraft.

Non-league side Stourbridge's FA Cup second-round tie with Northampton is postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Northampton say winger George North was not knocked out and was fit to play on after a mid-air tackle against Leicester.

Adam Thompstone scores a try but is sin-binned soon after as Leicester overcome Northampton in a fierce East Midlands derby.

AFC Wimbledon and non-league Barrow provide the main stories in Sunday's FA Cup second-round action - relive it all here.

Relive the Premiership action as Leicester beat Northampton and Gloucester overcome Bristol in a Saturday afternoon of derby matches.

An MP criticised over a £10.25m loan to redevelop a football stadium should "consider his position", his local party chairman says.

Listen to live radio commentary from the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, including Northampton against Leinster.