Steerpike

Yesterday Ken Livingstone found himself at the centre of a media storm after he suggested that Kevan Jones -- a Labour MP with a history of depression -- required psychiatric help, after he dared to question Livingstone's appointment as co-chair on Labour's defence policy review. As Jones -- along with Jeremy Corbyn -- called on Livingstone to apologise, a series of media appearances followed where he did no such thing. At first he said Jones should 'get over it', later explaining he was just standing up for himself as any self-respecting south London lad would. Eventually a grovelling statement appeared on Livingstone's Twitter account where he apologised 'unreservedly'.

Last night's PLP meeting proved to be a lively affair as Jeremy Corbyn was turned on by members of the Labour party over his ‘shoot to kill’ comments. As Mr S's colleague Sebastian Payne reports, Corbyn was then ‘shouted down’ by MPs for his stance on military action and Syria. So where was the Labour leader's primary cheerleader Diane Abbott while all this was going on? Well Abbott, who has won herself the nickname Madame Mao since her close friend – and rumoured former lover – was elected, was rather distracted at the event.

Last night's episode of Question Time saw David Dimbleby joined in Stoke-on-Trent by Sajid Javid, Lucy Powell, Ukip's Paul Nuttall, the Sun's managing editor Stig Abell and Paris Lees, the transgender rights activist. With Jeremy Corbyn the main topic on the agenda following the Sun's story this week claiming Corbyn failed to bow deeply enough at the Remembrance Sunday service at Whitehall, would Corbyn's supporters prove to all the merits of a new 'kinder' politics? At first, it looked like Corbyn's call to 'treat people with respect' and with no 'rudeness' may have been taken on board, as even Javid seemed keen to take part in the new regime.

As Seumas Milne attempts to settle in to his new job as Jeremy Corbyn's director of communications, the former Guardian columnist has got off to a rather shaky start. As well as making headlines himself over his controversial appointment, the negative press surrounding Corbyn has shown no sign of disappearing with a fresh storm recently emerging regarding Milne's colleague Andrew Fisher. Perhaps aware of his own shortcomings, Milne was even overheard outside a pub on Thursday asking the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg for advice on how to do his job. Now, Corbyn's other original Guardian cheerleader Owen Jones has stepped in to offer Milne some advice of his own.

After Benedict Cumberbatch indulged in a foul-mouthed rant about the government's response to the refugee crisis, he was criticised by several figures -- including Boris Johnson -- for using the theatre as a platform for his political views. In fact, the incident even left Mr S asking: is Benedict Cumberbatch the new Russell Brand? Judging by comments he made today after collecting his CBE, the actor could well succeed the retired-revolutionary. When reporters outside the palace put to the Sherlock actor that he may regret his comments -- which included the line 'f--- the politicians', Cumberbatch said actually it was quite the contrary: 'Have you been to the theatre recently? How many times?

Over the weekend James Cleverly made the news after he admitted to smoking marijuana and watching porn in his youth, during an interview on Radio 5 live. The newly elected Tory MP also gave a surprisingly honest answer when it came to a game of 'snog, marry, avoid'. Cleverly said he would choose to snog Theresa May, marry Yvette Cooper and avoid Isabel Oakeshott, the co-author of Call Me Dave. While Cleverly's admissions don't appear to have done his career much harm yet, Steerpike understands that one of his answers did come back to haunt him when Cleverly came face-to-face with the Home Secretary at Wednesday's meeting of the 1922 Committee. Theresa May was speaking at the meeting, with Cleverly sat a mere four rows away from her.

After a year of surprises across the board from the Tory majority to Labour's new leader, Westminster's rebels and insurgents descended on the Savoy Hotel to celebrate The Spectator's Parliamentarian of the Year awards. With the awards presented by Alex Salmond — last year's winner of Politician of the Year, the former First Minister of Scotland made sure to put Scottish independence firmly on the menu, namechecking his country's struggle several times in his speech. With Jeremy Corbyn unable to be there in person to collect his gong for Campaigner of the Year, it fell on his fellow comrade Diane Abbott to do the honours. The Labour frontbencher found time in her tribute to warn audience members not to underestimate the size of Jeremy Corbyn's mandate.

George Galloway is currently campaigning to be the next Mayor of London, on behalf of his Respect Party. However, given that bookies are giving 50/1 odds on him succeeding, Mr S suspects it is for the best that he also has a business venture up his sleeve. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Galloway discusses his love of vintage clothes, including his 'trademark' fedora. He reveals that he is planning to open his own vintage clothes shop, having bought the lease on a vintage shop near Portobello Road, which lies in the centre of Notting Hill -- one of London's most expensive neighbourhoods: 'Galloway spends a fortune on vintage clothes, buying from shops such as Victory in Whiteleys and Rokit in Covent Garden.