WATCH: Nuttall – “I’ve never been caught in a paedophile gang or anything”

UKIP’s leader defends his reputation on Marr and Ridge.

Arise, Sir Nigel of ConservativeHome

Resolving the row between Carswell and Farage is beyond our powers, but we must do what we can to help.

The Telegraph becomes the Faragegraph

The paper offers him publicity, and he is a perfect fit for its developing worldview.

If Carswell is expelled from UKIP, should the Conservatives take him back?

Your views below, please.

Anger on UKIP’s NEC at “weak and wounded” Nuttall

Daggers are drawn yet again, as Arron Banks seeks to take the party over after the Stoke result undermined its leader.

Nuttall’s nightmare – UKIP’s flawed machine is being found out and the party is losing its purpose

He took a big gamble to get the People’s Army back on the front foot, and lost.

Iain Dale: Jon Snow makes a case for dictatorship by elites

Plus: Labour goes all Smethwick in Copeland. And: Sky News dumbs down at breakfast.

Andrew Gimson’s Lords sketch: Lord Lisvane warns that Brexit could increase the powers of the Executive

Lord Willoughby de Broke congratulated the PM on giving “a UKIP speech”, so who needs UKIP?

Nuttall has had an awful week. But does anyone care?

He and his Party are used to weathering negative coverage – even when it’s true.

Graeme Archer: Labour’s plight – and why it is the Blairites for whom I feel the least pity

Let the leftover Blairites retro-absorb the LibDems: there’s your centre-Left. Most of the rest of usare quite happy to be governed by the centre-Right Super Party.

Henry Hill: Davidson says Sturgeon has failed to weaponise Brexit

Also: Tories accused of favouring DUP with Westminster debate; Plaid council faces parent backlash over Welsh-only schooling; and Nesbitt divides UUP by endorsing SDLP.

WATCH: Is Labour on the rocks in Stoke?

Sebastian Payne visits the by-election front line to explore the depths of the Opposition’s crisis.

There should be no room for Putin apologism on the right

The fantasy that the Kremlin is more sinned against than sinning was once the preserve of Corbyn’s hard left. We should stop the rot.

“Labour will win in Stoke, LibDems could come second.” File this prediction away for use on the night.

Whatever happens, the Conservative consensus is that the Party is pushing less hard in the city than in Copeland.

The coming local elections. Watch for a satisfied May, a beleaguered Corbyn…and a smug Farron

They take place three months from tomorrow – as will Birmingham’s mayoral election and that Surrey council tax referendum.