Image source, Labour Party

Former Labour mayor of London Ken Livingstone tells The World This Weekend the gap between Labour and the Tories is "most probably bigger than at any time in the last 20 years but that isn't getting over to people". He thinks there's no shortage of big "ideas and visions" coming from political figures, but that's not apparent from the newspapers, which he says are owned by five millionaires pushing they own agenda. Mr Livingstone urges people to watch television and listen to the radio if they want to see the bigger picture.

tweets:, external "Dudley isn't Kandahar" a senior Conservative tells @BBCShaunLey #AfzalAmin @BBCMarkMardell #tw2

Les Jones, former Conservative leader of Dudley Council, has been speaking to the BBC's Shaun Ley. "We would have hoped to win the seat," he said. Labour had a majority of just over 640 at the 2010 general election. Mr Jones continued: "I think it hurts politics which is more important. Examples like this - if it's proven of course - make it harder for those of us who are honestly involved in the political process to be believed."

tweets:, external @BBCShaunLey met @Afzal4Dudley on Friday when he chaired a hustings meeting. He's reporting live on #tw2 shortly.

tweets:, external @Afzal4Dudley has told the BBC he will be responding to the allegations "shortly" he wouldn't confirm or deny if he was in Dubai

The Conservatives have produced a new election video,, external taking their favourite theme of "Miliband in Salmond's pocket" to new, er, heights. Set to Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens - a strategic choice of tune no doubt - the graphic novel-style video features Ed Miliband quite literally dancing to a tune played by Alex Salmond. Here's a still to show you what we mean.

Image source, Conservatives

James Forsyth, writing in the Mail on Sunday,, external has got the inside scoop on David Cameron's preparations for the TV debates. In mock versions of the contests, he says Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is playing Nick Clegg - as he did in 2010 - and George Osborne's "brainy aide" Rupert Harrison plays Ed Miliband. But apparently casting a Nicola Sturgeon was more difficult.

"She ended up being represented by Andrew Dunlop, Cameron's point man on Scotland," Forsyth writes. "There is a worry that having him play Sturgeon means Cameron, who has found it difficult to strike the right tone with female opponents, isn't prepared for the gender dynamic of debating with her."

tweets:, external Running thru my Twitter feed post #bbcsp - clear that viewers very underwhelmed by Murphy's tap dancing around matter SNP/Lab post May

Northern Ireland has reached a watershed regarding decisions on public sector cuts, the Ulster Bank's chief economist has said. Richard Ramsey said people in Northern Ireland had "almost been guilty of being fiscal austerity nimbies", and while large public sector bodies should be seen as positives, restructuring was needed.

The Andrew Marr Show

If you missed Alex Salmond with Andrew Marr this morning, his full interview is online now.

tweets:, external Lovely Quote on sunday politics east from a ukip official on where they campaign: "where there's a wimpy there's a winning chance"

It's been a busy morning in the political world. As you tuck into your Sunday roast - and we scoff our sad little sandwiches - here's what's happened so far:

• Afzal Amin - a Conservative candidate at the general election - has been suspended over allegations he schemed with the English Defence League to win votes

• Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond predicted a "vote by vote arrangement" between a minority Labour government and the SNP on the Andrew Marr Show

• Mr Salmond also confirmed Nicola Sturgeon would lead any post-election negotiations

• UKIP leader Nigel Farage told the programme he would continue to be "utterly ruthless" about dealing with any of his general election candidates who "step over the line"

• Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy didn't rule out an informal deal with the SNP after the election, but said a vote for the party would make a Conservative government more likely

Alex Salmond also made us smile with this, external.

tweets:, external On #GE2015 debates agree with @BethRigby that Tories have seemingly played a blinder on the format finally agreed. A gamechanger? Doubt it.

The Daily Telegraph

Here's the Telegraph's take, external on Alex Salmond's interviews this morning. The newspaper writes that the former Scottish first minister claimed he will help write Ed Balls' first Budget after the general election.

Some quotes in full from former EDL leader Tommy Robinson on the Sunday Politics. Asked about the Afzal Amin story, he said: "Things started off great, I was introduced to Afzal and he ticked all the boxes. I was introduced to him as one of the Muslims who could solve this country's problems.

"And then I became insulted, quite quickly, when he clearly wanted to buy me. And not just buy me, but put offers forward that could buy the English Defence League.

"He wanted us to set up a fake demonstration. It was completely his campaign. He wanted to use us. He wanted to use us for his own gain."

Mr Amin says the allegations are untrue.

And that's all from Sunday Politics. But stick with this for the next few hours - we'll be posting some more analysis and commentary on the big politics issues and recapping a busy morning.

Daily and Sunday Politics

Afzal Amin's "minder" offered money to Tommy Robinson and made it clear he would be looked after, the former EDL leader tells the Sunday Politics.

Daily and Sunday Politics

Image source, Getty Images

Tommy Robinson, the former English Defence League leader, tells the Sunday Politics Afzal Amin was introduced to him as a Muslim who could "solve this country's problems". But it became clear he wanted to use the EDL and set up a fake demonstration. Background to the story here.

Daily and Sunday Politics

It feels like "game, set and match" to David Cameron on the TV debates, Nicholas Watt says. But it's not a total victory. The real danger for the prime minister now is that in the final interviews on 30 April on the BBC, Ed Miliband will mock Mr Cameron relentlessly. Beth Rigby says the Tories have played a "blinder" in negotiations.

Daily and Sunday Politics

Ben Page, from Ipsos Mori, says the Tories are seen as mean, but efficient. Ed Miliband is seen as nicer, but not necessarily competent with the economy, he adds.