tweets, external: So @MalcolmRifkind could've taken £81k/year for chairing ISC since it became parly committee in 2014. He chose not to - just usual £67k.

The Daily Telegraph

Now that Sir Malcolm Rifkind has decided not to put himself forward at May's general election, who will stand for the Conservatives in the Kensington constituency? James Kirkup - who describes the seat as "one of the great prizes in Conservative politics" - takes a look at the options. And suggests a cricket star would be a good choice. More here, external.

BBC Two
TV

Fans of Michael Cockerell's excellent documentary, Inside the Commons, might want to switch on to BBC 2 pretty quickly. Tonight is the final episode of the four-part series. You've missed the first 15 minutes - but you can always catch it back on iPlayer.

House of Commons speaker John Bercow has said Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw will "cop it" if they are found to have broken parliamentary rules. Mr Bercow said MPs should not be in parliament "to add to their personal fortune" and warned they would be punished if it was proven they broke rules.

"They are both highly intelligent, highly capable, highly experienced people. It may well be that errors of judgment have been made. If that is so, then they will cop it, they will face the music, they will suffer a penalty as a result," he said.

writes: Natalie Bennett's brain fade was quite charming in a way. She's different, as she should be. And brave to keep going. Good luck to her. And let's face it, any thing's better than a "normal" politician.

The Spectator

On The Spectator website, Alex Massie has written in defence of lobbyists. He says they fulfil "an essential role" and argues that it "needs to be protected". You can read his piece here, external.

The £6bn health and social care budget for Greater Manchester is to be taken over by regional councils, the BBC understands. The move is part of the devolution of NHS powers. The agreement is expected to be confirmed by Chancellor George Osborne on Friday and will come into force from April 2016. Full story here.

Image source, PA

The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats has raised concerns over progress on talks about the future of powers for the country. Later this week, an announcement is expected on new devolved measures. BBC Wales reports consensus is emerging on energy and electoral matters - but not police and criminal justice matters. Now, Lib-Dem leader Kirsty Williams says Welsh devolution risks being "held back". Full story here.

The UK is the first country to approve laws to allow the creation of babies from three people - and the first baby could be born as soon as next year. The change just passed its final legislative obstacle in the House of Lords. More here.

A new Daily Mirror/Survation poll has just been published. On headline voting intention, it found the parties on (change based on poll on 27 January 2015): Labour 34% (+3) Conservatives 28% (-3) UKIP 19% (-4) Lib Dems 10% (+3) SNP 4% (NC) Green 4% (+1) AP 1% (NC).

The company also asked the following question: "The General Election is on 7 May 2015. Thinking specifically about your constituency and the parties and candidates likely to be in contention, how do you think you will vote on 7 May". It found the parties on (change since 27th January): Labour 33% (-2) Conservatives 29% (-2) UKIP 19% (-2) Lib Dems 10% (+3) Greens 3% (NC) SNP 4% (NC) AP 4% (+1).

The Guardian

Over on the Guardian website, columnist Zoe Williams has some warm words for Natalie Bennett. Telling the Green Party leader not to worry about her much-discussed interview on LBC earlier, Williams writes: "People who are anywhere near voting Green will recognise that a far more profound change to the distribution of government spending will have to be undertaken if we want to reach a housing settlement than will ever be teased out for the first time in a five-minute radio segment." More here, external.

Natalie Bennett's apology to Green Party members for her interview on LBC is now online. "I didn't do a great job this morning, I had a brain fade, that happens," she tells BBC News. "What I'm aiming to do is face up to that, and then move on." You can also take a look back at the party's campaign launch here.

Channel 4

Put to her that the Green party's housing policy figures are wrong, Ms Lucas says she hasn't got those figures in front her. Oh no, is this about to go the same way as Ms Bennett's interview?

Pressed again, Ms Lucas adds: "It's not £42bn but, you know, I haven't got the analysis that you've got there," before saying the launch was not about detailed policy but the party's overall campaign, to reflect the fact it's standing in 90% of constituencies across the country.

"We will have a manifesto launch. When we do rest assured all of those figures will be in the right place," she adds.

Channel 4

Asked about Natalie Bennett's much-reported "mind blank" earlier today, Green MP and former party leader Caroline Lucas concedes "it was not Natalie at her best" - but urges "proportion".

"It does happen to us all, we are all human," she adds, noting that a similar fate had befallen Labour leader Ed Miliband - when he forgot the deficit from his autumn party conference speech, and Ed Balls - when he couldn't remember the name of Labour's small business taskforce leader. "We need to be a bit more understanding and forgiving," she counsels.

Natalie Bennett's "mind blank" has been one of the big political issues of the day. But what effect do such moments have on political careers? Brian Wheeler takes a look (featuring some other 'forgetful' political moments).

Channel 4

Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, says Sir Malcolm Rifkind's resignation is a decision for the former foreign minister himself. She tells Channel 4 News she is unaware of any discussions telling him to go.

LBC

Image source, Getty Images

After Natalie Bennett's "very bad" interview earlier, Green peer Baroness Jones has been defending her as an "amazing" leader. Baroness Jones said Ms Bennett had been ill and should have probably rested instead of doing interviews. But she added: "For the last nearly two years she's been our leader - she's been absolutely amazing". And she said there was no question over whether Ms Bennett should be leading the party into the election. More on LBC, external.

Eric Pickles, the communities and local government secretary, has warned local authorities to be prepared for more budget cuts if the Conservatives are in government again after the election. Mr Pickles, appearing before the Commons Communities and Local Government Committee, said local governments had done "exceedingly well", but added: "I still think there is money that we can get out of the system."

writes on David Cameron's appearance before the Commons Liaison Committee earlier: Has anyone else noticed just what a male-dominated group Cameron is addressing. We all know that the Commons is dominated by men of middle age and older but this Committee is ridiculous in a society that believes in equality.

tweets, external: Natalie Bennett's interview(s) won't hurt the Greens. Their voters aren't looking for an enarque to run Britain. It's a protest party.