The Times reports on a rift between Conservative co-chairman Lord Saatchi and campaign chief Lynton Crosby.

It says a previous report that Crosby had marginalised Lord Saatchi provoked an angry response.

The co-chairman sent an email to staff saying: "The Times reported some disobliging comments about Liam [Fox] and I by Lynton Crosby. Lynton is apologetic for the remarks attributed to him and we have accepted that.

"In these months before the general election, we're all in the privileged position when our private thoughts are a matter of public interest.

"It is never a good idea to bad-mouth your colleagues, so if you do harbour unkind thoughts about others - which I hope you don't - please keep them to yourselves."