Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 22 Mar 2015

1. DID TORY CONSPIRE WITH THE EDL?

A Tory election candidate has been suspended over allegations he schemed with the far-right English Defence League to gain votes. According to the Mail on Sunday, Afzal Amin tried to persuade the EDL to announce a march against a new "mega-mosque" in the marginal seat of Dudley North, so he could get the march scrapped and get credit. Amin denies the allegation.

2. TOP IRA MEN FACE NEW INVESTIGATION

Six IRA suspects believed to be responsible for some of the worst terror attacks committed on mainland Britain are facing major new police investigations, says the Sunday Telegraph. Although the alleged terrorists had been told that they would not face arrest in so-called “comfort letters”, detectives say the letters will not protect them from prosecution.

3. PM REVIVES THATCHER HOUSING SCHEME

The Tories are to revive Margaret Thatcher’s right-to-buy housing scheme with a “big doorstep offer” in their manifesto to working-class voters. According to Downing Street sources, David Cameron is supporting a plan by Iain Duncan Smith to let housing association tenants buy their homes at a knockdown price — a throwback to the property-owning democracy of the Thatcher era.

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4. CONCERN OVER GAZZA TWITTER RANT

Fears are growing over the wellbeing of Paul Gascoigne after the former football star embarked on a 16-hour Twitter rant at friends he says “screwed him over”. His tweets focused on his girlfriend Mandy Thomas and a man called Andy. Over more than 50 postings, Gazza complained “I bought u money and u screwed me over” and warned “what goes around comes around”.

5. UK MEDICS IN ISIS STRONGHOLDS

Nine British medical students have travelled illegally to Syria where they are believed to be working in hospitals in Islamic State strongholds. The group - all in their late teens or early twenties - had been studying in Sudan. The Observer says their families have mounted a desperate last-ditch effort at the Turkish-Syrian border to persuade them to come home.

6. STUDY REVEALS DONOR/PEERAGE LINK

A major study by Oxford academics claims it has proven a strong relationship between donations to political parties and nominations for peerages. The report found that 92 people who were nominated for a peerage had donated a collective £33.83m to parties. It argues the relationship is "significant" and "a debate... about whether we are comfortable with that needs to be had."

7. LOUIS TOMLINSON ‘IN POOL ROMP’

More trouble may be brewing for One Direction. The Sun claims that Louis Tomlinson was spotted kissing a bikini-clad woman in a pool in Bangkok. However, the Mail On Sunday says that Tomlinson had already split from his long-term girlfriend, Eleanor Calder, when the incident happened. Earlier this week it was revealed that Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards' engagement may be over.

8. TORIES IN THREE-POINT ‘BUDGET BOUNCE’

The Tories have leapt into a three-point poll lead over Labour, says The Observer. After chancellor George Osborne offered help to savers, pensioners and first-time buyers, the Conservatives have enjoyed a clear “budget bounce” as they jump to 36%. Labour are down two points at 33%, while Ukip are unchanged on 14%. The Lib Dems are on 7%, while the Greens polled 6%.

9. CLARKSON IN ‘TOP TRACTOR’ PLAN

Jeremy Clarkson is developing an idea for a television series about farming, which his friends have nicknamed ‘Top Tractor’. A source tells The Sunday Times: "It's about trying to run a farm when you don't know anything about farming... and getting things wrong in a Top Gear-esque way." Meanwhile, the Sunday Mirror has Clarkson "has vowed to sue the BBC if he is sacked".

10. IS CHELSEA’S LEAD CRUMBLING?

Chelsea travel to Hull today under growing pressure after Arsenal and Manchester City both gained ground on the league leaders. City are just three points behind Chelsea after beating West Brom, while Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Newcastle took them within four points of the top. Although Chelsea have two games in hand, their lead is ever shakier.