Sky News

Prince Charles tells Sky News, external one of the causes for the crisis in Syria is a drought that occurred in the country. 

When asked if he thought there was a link between climate change and conflict he says "absolutely". 

He says "There is very good evidence indeed that one of the major reasons of this horror is Syria was a drought that lasted five or six years".

David Cameron has been in Paris this morning alongside President Francois Hollande where the two statesmen spoke at a press conference.

Read the full speech., external

The Daily Telegraph

Prime Minister David Cameron wrote an article in the Daily Telegraph , externalthis morning about more spending on UK defence, the creation of strike brigades and the ongoing threat to the UK from so called Islamic State. 

He writes: "As the murders on the streets of Paris reminded us so starkly, Islamic State is not some remote problem thousands of miles away; it is a direct threat to our security."  

He goes on to outline measures the government is taking to ensure the safety of the UK writing: "Economic security and national security go hand in hand." 

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

Discussing air strikes in Syria, SNP leader Alex Salmond says the government is too busy attempting to divide the Labour Party rather than focusing on their strategy in Syria. 

Mr Salmond was speaking after comments made by Conservative Andrew Bridgen (see earlier post). Mr Salmond says the issue is "so much more important than party bickering" and appeals to Mr Bridgen to "rise to the occasion".

Mr Salmond said: "Andrew we're talking about serious issues today, try and rise to the occasion. You did really well two years ago when you voted with your principle.

"All you've done in the last few minutes both to the Labour Party and now to the SNP is ridiculous jibes which have got nothing to do with the serious issues that we're going to have to face."

Mr Bridgen replies saying it was "a bit rich" of Mr Salmond accusing his party of divisive politics. 

Victoria Derbyshire

Labour's Emily Thornberry refused to be drawn into a debate on whether the Labour Party should be given a free vote on air strikes in Syria. 

She said: "I'm going to be making a decision on the basis on what I think is right for the country, and Jeremy will be doing the same." 

She adds that she thinks it is "very sad to descend into petty party politics on a matter of world security", after Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said Mr Corbyn's leadership was "so far out of step with public opinion on this issue" adding Mr Corbyn's leadership was "under threat".

Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party, says matters of war and peace should always be "vote of conscience" and should "always be a free vote".

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen says air strikes alone will not be enough and ground troops would be needed. However he said he was against sending British troops in, preferring the idea of Turkish troops going in.

He says: "We do need troops on the ground as part of a coordinated response."

Asked whether air strikes would be effective enough to combat so-called Islamic State he says: 

 He adds he believes the vote will be held next week and would be voting in favour of air strikes in Syria.  

Victoria Derbyshire

Alex Salmond, SNP foreign affairs spokesman, says they are "not convinced" by the Prime Minister's proposed air strikes in Syria, but adds they will listen. 

"We are not convinced that adding to the bombing campaign is the answer. There's no shortage of people bombing Syria, at the present moment, everyone and their aunty is bombing somebody in Syria," he says.

There is a lack of a "coherent" strategy to bring peace to the country he says.

Mr Salmond adds the real fight with so called Islamic State is countering their propaganda, which he says the Prime Minister hasn't mentioned, nor he says has he mentioned how they will stop the terror group's financial sources.

Victoria Derbyshire

Discussing the proposed air strikes in Syria, Labour's Emily Thornberry says she is trying to keep an "open mind" but there has been "such confusion" about the UK's stance. 

She says she wants "to see a complete plan" from the government as there are many questions unanswered, such as whether bombing alone would be enough, would ground troops be needed and what would happen after military involvement? She says "it is not enough to bomb and go".

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Image source, PA

Ed Miliband, former Labour leader says the party has found a new "strength and depth" under current leader Jeremy Corbyn. 

"I think it has a strength and depth in terms of our membership which we didn't have before. Jeremy Corbyn has doubled our membership," he says.

He says this is clear to him as he has "seen that myself in my own constituency".

Now, he says, the party needs to work out:

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Image source, WPA Pool/Getty Images

Asked if Jeremy Corbyn was suitable for the office of Prime Minister Ed Miliband replies "of course".

"In the end that's a decision for the electorate, as I discovered to my cost."

"I'm not going to be a backseat driver," Mr Miliband says, adding that he decided not to "provide a running commentary" about his successor to allow him to "argue it in his own way".

Asked whether he thought Mr Corbyn could win at the general election he says: "That's a matter for the electorate Jim, I'm not in the predictions game. And if you'll forgive me, after my experience at the general election predictions aren't my thing."

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Speaking earlier on Today Ed Miliband was asked about his election defeat: