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Labour MP Tom Watson has heaped more pressure on Sir Malcolm Rifkind who is currently the chairman of the intelligence select committee.

Mr Watson told BBC News: "The idea that we can have a chair of an intelligence committee who is negotiating payments from a Chinese company I think would really concern people in the intelligence community. If the chairman of the intelligence committee does not have... no longer has the confidence of the prime minister, then he shouldn't be in that position. And I think the prime minister needs to form a view whether he wants the intelligence chair... to be working as a lobbyist for Chinese companies."

Tweets:, external Red Ukip takeover has given Eurosceptic right-wingers an ideological excuse to hold their noses and vote Conservative.

Reacting to the news that he's lost the party whip, Sir Malcolm Rifkind told BBC2's Daily Politics: "I think that is meant to be a temporary matter." On the issue of the prime minister's support - or possibly lack thereof - he added: "I don't expect the prime minister to reach conclusions when there have been allegations made."

Dripping with irony, Mr Farage answers a question about Rozanne Duncan, the councillor he expelled for what he called racist remarks. "I understand she's pledged to support the Conservatives again in south Thanet and I'm sure they're very pleased."

Norman Smith
BBC Assistant Political Editor

The prime minister said it was not for him to say whether Sir Malcolm Rifkind should be the chairman of the intelligence committee, it was down to the committee members. However, David Cameron could easily have said 'he's doing a good job', but he didn't say that and I suspect there might be pressure for him stand down.

Mr Farage is bullish when asked about the Austin Mitchell story from Sunday - Mr Mitchell, you might remember, suggested a "raving alcoholic sex paedophile" could win his Great Grimsby seat as long as they were Labour. "I think all bets are off," says the UKIP leader. "I'll be straight with you. Great Grimsby is one of our target seats and we think we've got a better than 50% chance of winning it."

"I think not only did it look bad, it was bad," says Nigel Farage on the allegations against Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw. On the subject of the former's position as chairman of the intelligence and security committee, he adds: "I think it's very questionable he would hang onto any senior positions."

Joey Jones, deputy political editor, Sky News

Tweets:, external So two investigations for Rifkind; parly commissioner + cchq which presumably will report quickly so rifkind can stand in seat if cleared.

On the issue of the MPs vote later on banning sex-selective abortions. Mr Cameron said: "I support the status quo. Abortion on gender grounds is not legal, "but there are very few circumstances" where it is necessary. "I will be voting to maintain that status quo... but I hope the abortion laws are properly policed," he said.

The prime minister says he is not completely against MPs having second jobs. On Labour's proposals to limit the amount MPs could earn from second jobs, he says they would allow someone to be a trade union official but not "to run the family shop" or something similar.

Mr Cameron says the issue of lobbying is "very serious" and lists his government's actions on improving transparency and standards. He says the issue of the chairmanship of the intelligence select committee is not something he has control over.

David Cameron confirms the party whip is being removed from Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

Mr Cameron says the Conservatives will also look at the cost of care. "In the past we have seen 45,000 people forced to sell their own home to pay for care. Our care reforms are the most significant for 70 years." He added that his policies would "spare thousands of people the need to sell their own home" in the future.

Norman Smith
BBC Assistant Political Editor

Tweets: , externalSir Malcolm Rifkind says despite suspension will not stand down from Intelligence Committee unless committee calls on him to step aside

The Conservatives have suspended the whip from Sir Malcolm Rifkind and will convene a disciplinary committee to investigate his case, a party source has told the Press Association.

The BBC News Channel will have its weekly Campaign Countdown Review at 12:30 with Buzzfeed's Emily Ashton and Kate Devlin from the Herald. As UKIP discuss their health policies and with the Greens set to launch their campaign tomorrow, they'll be discussing the growth of the smaller parties - as well as asking whether the spirit of the campaign has been rather negative so far.

He said Tory policy would give "power to pensioners" and see "the last remnant of the nanny state gone".

"These aren't luxuries, they are what people who work hard all their lives need and deserve." Mr Cameron is referring to winter fuel allowance, free TV licences and free bus passes.

UKIP is making promises on mental health - something the Lib Dems have also been focused on. Among the plans, Ms Bours says they'll make sure there is mental health treatment and support available for all pregnant women and mothers of children under one if they need it.

David Cameron tells his audience in Hastings he wants there to be "security in retirement for everyone". He added that "if you have worked hard during your life you deserve dignity when you retire".

"We're saying whoever you are... if you have put into the system you will get out."