this programme contains repetitive flashing images. the end of an era — dominic cummings, the prime minister's chief adviser, has just left downing street for good. a very public exit — he was supposed to stay until christmas, but after a difficult week and upset in the team, it was decided he should go with immediate effect. also on the programme tonight: a fall in the r rate — the reproduction number for coronavirus across the uk, but current infections keep the pressure up on hospitals. almost half a century after he murdered 13 women, the yorkshire ripper, peter sutcliffe, has died in hospital. he had coronavirus. the son of his first victim gave this reaction. i'm not celebrating, put it that way. it brings me some sense of closure. a radical shake—up in how students apply to university in england

with offers after exam results instead of predicted grades. and a place in euro 2020 — the scotland team party well into the night after qualifying for their first major tournament in more than 20 years. and coming up on bbc news, rory mcilroy faces a battle to make the cut at the masters. a poor opening round means his hopes of a career grand slam are slipping away again this year. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the prime minister's most senior adviser, dominic cummings, has left downing street for good.

he walked out of downing street very publicly a short while ago after clearing his desk. yesterday, he said he would be staying until the end of the year. it comes after downing street's director of communications lee cain, who was a close ally of mrcummings, stood down this week amid reports of internal tensions in the prime minister's team. this report from our deputy political editor vicki young contains flash photography. leaving for the final time after a power struggle that erupted publicly and left downing street in turmoil. dominic cummings has been one of the most influential figures in westminster, advising the prime minister and making plenty of enemies along the way. dominic cummings made his name as a formidable campaigner, first against the ukjoining formidable campaigner, first against the uk joining the formidable campaigner, first against the ukjoining the euro. it was formidable campaigner, first against the uk joining the euro. it was the eu referendum that followed his relationship with borisjohnson, and he was credited with the winning slogan, take back control. but the move into government through different challenges is that mr

cummings was ruthless with those he didn't consider to be loyal. he was dismissive of the cabinet, conservative mps and the civil service. parliament was co ntroversially service. parliament was controversially suspended when it tried to block a no—deal brexit. although he wasn't a member of the conservative party, he masterminded a huge election victory, appealing to leave voters in the north of england. he was always someone who would shake things up. he didn't ta ke would shake things up. he didn't take things just because they had been done that way, that they couldn't be done any other way. it's a lwa ys couldn't be done any other way. it's always good to have people who challenge the system and challenge the way things are done. he has obviously been very influential in that way. but the covid pandemic left little room for his ambitious reforms, and then there was the infamous trip to barnard castle. while millions followed the rules and stayed at home, mr cummings drove hundreds of miles to durham and was later forced to explain his actions. we agreed that we should go for a short drive to see if i could drive safely. there was uproar that

mrjohnson stuck by him. today, many tory mps are glad he is gone. mrjohnson stuck by him. today, many tory mps are glad he is gonelj would tory mps are glad he is gone.|j would like the prime minister to see this as an opportunity to muck out the stables, to get in the team of people that he really needs and deserves behind him. every day, the people working in that building make important decisions that affect eve ryo ne important decisions that affect everyone of us, and this week the prime minister has decided he wants a team to do that. conservative mps hope that it will mean a different tone from the government. less division, less aggression. but we don't know whether it will mean a change in policy direction, and only the prime minister can decide that. the influence of borisjohnson‘s fiance has also played its part. carrie symonds worked for the conservative party for years and we re conservative party for years and were said to be unhappy with the tea m were said to be unhappy with the team around him. 0thers were said to be unhappy with the team around him. others will now be taking the limelight and speaking for the prime minister. the aim is a smoother operation. what we have

seen smoother operation. what we have seen this week is a good old power struggle. who has access to the prime minister, who has influence over the prime minister. this afternoon there were conversations between lee cain, the former director of communications who has also left, and dominic cummings. they spoke to the prime minister and lunchtime and it was decided that because of the upset there has been in the team and the difficult week, it was best to go immediately. for mr cummings, difficult week, it was best to go immediately. foercummings, i think governing did throw up different challenges to running successful campaigns. you could say building alliances wasn't his forte, but of course, delivering brexit and that election victory for the prime minister will be his legacy. as for conservative mps, one of them that i have just spoken to simply said, rejoice. vicki young in westminster, thank you. coronavirus cases continue to rise in uk. the latest government figures show there were 27,301 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 2a hour period. that means that the average number

of new cases reported per day in the last week is now 24,430. and 376 deaths were reported, that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test. it means on average in the past week, 404 deaths were announced every day. 0ur health editor hugh pym reports. however, today there is a glimmer of hope that lockdowns across the uk are helping. the r number, the rate at which the virus is spreading, is lower. it is still below one, meaning the cases are going, but it is slowing and now sits between one and 1.2. hospitals are still under pressure a cross and 1.2. hospitals are still under pressure across the country. our health editor hugh pym reports. it is really starting to hit. the boss of milton keynes university hospital, with a reminder that some services are still under pressure

because of the covid second wave. here they have seen a doubling of patients in the last five days, and that means staff are stretched even further. we know that staff are still tired from the first wave. we know there are high levels of anxiety, and everything we are doing here at the hospital is focused on making sure that we keep our staff safe and well. daily hospital admissions of patients with coronavirus in the uk have risen steadily since early october, although there has been a slightly slower rate of growth in recent days. hospital cases reflect infections picked up in previous weeks. community testing schemes like this one in liverpool, including some school pupils, are trying to find out how much the virus is spreading now, covering those with and without symptoms. there are also surveys covering the wider population. the office for national statistics survey covering infections in the community suggests that in england last week, one in 85 people had the virus, a bit more

than the previous week. in wales, it was a than the previous week. in wales, it wasa similar than the previous week. in wales, it was a similarfigure, again a little bit higher. in scotland, the estimate is one in 135 people infected, down a bit on the previous week. in northern ireland, one and 105, again a bit lower. the 0ns suggests that in areas of high infections, there has been a bit of a levelling off. but increases in other parts of the country. we are seeing a plateau of cases in certain areas, for example, northern ireland is starting to see a plateau of hospitalisations and deaths. and hopefully, that continues and starts to decrease. however, in certain areas such as england and wales, it may be too soon to tell if those have had a positive impact. a key measure of how fast the virus is spreading or declining across the population is the reproduction, or r number. anything above one shows it is exhilarating. below one, and it is exhilarating. below one, and it is receding. the latest uk estimate is receding. the latest uk estimate isa is receding. the latest uk estimate

is a range of one to 1.2, slightly lower than last week's number. that indicates a slowdown for the virus. some health officials think it will fall below one in the coming weeks because of lockdown restrictions. but as to what is allowable over christmas, they say that is a decision for ministers in the different uk governments. hugh pym, bbc news. the serial killer peter sutcliffe, known as the yorkshire ripper, has died in hospital at the age of 7a. he had coronavirus. sutcliffe murdered 13 women across yorkshire and the north west of england between 1975 and 1980. he was also convicted of the attempted murder of seven other women. today west yorkshire police apologised for the way senior officers spoke about some of the victims at the time. 0ur correspondent danny savage reports. this report contains flashing images. 0ver six years, all these women were murdered by the same man. 13 families' lives, torn apart by peter

sutcliffe. wilma mccann was the first to be killed in leeds in 1975. her son richard wasjust first to be killed in leeds in 1975. her son richard was just five years old when she died. he believes today brings some sort of closure. old when she died. he believes today brings some sort of closurelj old when she died. he believes today brings some sort of closure. i know there will be many people that work on this day, and maybe some of them will get some peace. it is the man that took my mum's life, so it is significant. it is emotive in some ways, but i have got my own life and my own family now. let's get on with oui’ my own family now. let's get on with our lives with a bit more peace after today. this was in halifax, when 19—year—old bank clerk josephine whitaker was killed. medicines were scattered across yorkshire and manchester. for several years, women, especially here in west yorkshire, were scared. going out alone at night was a real risk. peter sutcliffe changed the way people lived. still, he found victims, like mo lee, who was an art student in leeds and survived when sutcliffe ambushed her. my attack

did shape my life and my outlook within a matter of five minutes. 0ne side of that timescale, i was a happy—go—lucky young, innocent art student, and after that i became sarcastic and cynical and i lost trust. sutcliffe was known to police. he was interviewed nine times about things never went any further. that is partly because the police inquiry was famously led down a blind alley by hoax tapes from a man dubbed wearside jack. a blind alley by hoax tapes from a man dubbed wearsidejack. he sent letters a nd man dubbed wearsidejack. he sent letters and tapes taunting the investigating officers. letters and tapes taunting the investigating officerslj letters and tapes taunting the investigating officers. i have the greatest respect for you. even though he fitted descriptions, it led to the conclusion that peter sutcliffe wasn't their man, is a retired detective records. one of the top table officers said, is he a

geordie? what is his name? he said, peter sutcliffe. now, listen, boys. peter sutcliffe. now, listen, boys. peter sutcliffe. now, listen, boys. peter sutcliffe is not the yorkshire ripper. so sutcliffe carried on killing. colleagues at the haulage firm where he worked knew he was a suspect, and used tojoke firm where he worked knew he was a suspect, and used to joke about it. he was nicknamed the ripper, and he is to answer to that sometimes, so it's sad now, isn't it? when he was eventually arrested for having stolen number plates, he confessed. at dewsbury police station, the public turned out to express their disgust. sutcliffe was jailed for the rest of his life. he died after contracting covid—19 and refusing treatment. few, ifany, contracting covid—19 and refusing treatment. few, if any, will mourn the passing of a man who destroyed so the passing of a man who destroyed so many lives.

next tuesday, it will be a0 years to the day since sutcliffe's final victim, jacqueline hale, a student here in leeds, was killed in this road in headingley. she got off the bus after dark and was walking up here when she was attacked. you do have to be over a certain age to have to be over a certain age to have first hand memories of the yorkshire ripper being at large in this area but for those people who do remember, those were very dark and worrying times. sophie. danny, thank you. many women in the north of england lived in a climate of fear in the late 70s before sutcliffe was arrested. 0ur fear in the late 70s before sutcliffe was arrested. our special correspondent lucy manning has been speaking to women about their experiences at the time. wilma mccann, emily jackson, wilma mccann, emilyjackson, irene richardson, patricia atkinson, jane mcdonald, jean jordan, yvonne pearson, helen ricker, vera millwa rd, pearson, helen ricker, vera millward, josephine whitaker, barbara leach, magritte was,

jacqueline hale. everyone remembers peter sutcliffe's name. how many remember theirs? what no one forgets from the time is the terror felt by women. for a 17—year—old in leeds when sutcliffe was left free to kill, it was a fear michelle teel couldn't shake. we had no mobile phone, so you couldn't ring to say, i don't feel safe. you had nothing, so i don't feel safe. you had nothing, so my i don't feel safe. you had nothing, so my mum i don't feel safe. you had nothing, so my mum used to time it knowing when i would roughly be coming home and she would walk halfway to meet me. but it was a scary time. all of us were so aware of me. but it was a scary time. all of us were so aware of this case, to the point of actually suspecting friends, neighbours. joan smith reported on the murders and suffered nightmares after. she wrote about the misogyny of the police investigating. they kind of thought that the women who were involved in the sex trade were asking for it in inverted commas, and they were much

more interested in the innocent women. and i thought they missed the central point, which was what he hated was women. do you think anything has changed for women since that time in terms of policing? was it changed was women's attitudes. it kicked off the reclaim the night marchers, women saying, we are the victims, why should we be the ones who stay at home? and this was an absolutely foundational event. for a former yorkshire evening post journalist at the time of the murders, it boils down to one thing. i would say there was institutionalised misogyny. the victims who survived had all said he had a local accent, but they didn't ta ke had a local accent, but they didn't take any notice of those people. if they had, if they listen to the women, maybe he would have been caught sooner. violence against women is taken more seriously now, but few accused of rape are charged and convictions for that and domestic abuse are down. the murder

in 2006 of five women in ipswich who we re in 2006 of five women in ipswich who were daughters and mothers but also worked as prostitutes shows that vulnerable women are still at risk. and when the serial rapistjohn worboys was to be released two years ago, it was the victims themselves who had to campaign to keep him in prison. men of the street! in the late 1970s, it wasn'tjust prison. men of the street! in the late 1970s, it wasn't just a few weeks when men were scared to go out, it was five years. and today, there are still women who feel u nsafe there are still women who feel unsafe not just there are still women who feel unsafe notjust on the streets, but often in their own home. lucy manning, bbc news. the time is 6:15. our top story this evening: dominic cummings has left his role as done for good. coming up, a0 yea rs of as done for good. coming up, a0 years of children in need. how it has had to change to cope with covid.

coming up on sportsday on bbc news: scotland's history makers reflect on a night of drama — as the men's side make the finals of a major tournament for the first time in 22 years. there could be a radical shake up in the way students in england are offered university places. 0ffers offers of places will be made after exa m offers of places will be made after exam results, not on the basis of predicted grades. it could happen as $0011 predicted grades. it could happen as 50011 as predicted grades. it could happen as soon as 2023. the move has been welcomed by university lecturers and head teachers was more the unions amid concerns the current system is unfairto amid concerns the current system is unfair to disadvantaged students. working hard to get to university. they are applying with predicted grades. in an exclusive interview, the education secretary said change would help disadvantaged students. they don't have the same confidence,

especially if they are may be from a family who have never had anyone going to university before. maybe haven't had always the encouragement to apply to one of those top universities. yet they have the potential to go to one of those top universities. universities are worried this could be very difficult to implement for some of the most competitive courses. this is something that is done in many other parts of the world, so we know it's possible to do. we are going to end up possible to do. we are going to end up with a more efficient admissions system that will in time work for universities, as it does for stu d e nts universities, as it does for students themselves. this is a change that many believe could make the system fairer. universities would like students to still be able to apply before the results and get prices of those. but others favour a more radical approach in which it all happens off the results day. so

what to current sixth formers think? it would mean an end to predicted grades, no more offers before you sit your exams. i have already applied now and i have offers so i know, what grades i have got to work towards. i think more universities would do interviews and admissions tasks. so it could be a good thing. basing it solely on grades and results day sort of makes universities miss the bigger picture. they need to know they are going to get into university. picture. they need to know they are going to get into universityfi could mean colleges working harder to keep them on track. it motivates them, give them a sense of what year 13 is all about and if it was left until the end of their exam, would that same motivation happen? it probably would put in a different way. at you would feel you would give the exam is your best shot and then you are able to hopefully apply to the places that you deserve to be at. universities said today they back change but the more radical it

is, the bigger the challenge. how practical it could it be done? the second thing is, of course if we do that, we are going to have to ensure the students have a very good careers advice system during that period. because there is going to be a week when they have to make up their minds and come to a decision. it means as colleges come out of this pandemic, another revolution is on the horizon. 0ne this pandemic, another revolution is on the horizon. one that could spark a change of the uk. a man on trialfor the manslaughter of 39 people from vietnam who were found dead in a sealed lorry trailer has described how he left the uk for romania the night after they died. gheorghe nica told the jury he was scared about the situation, and wanted to go home to see his family and children again. nica was arrested in germany four months later and extradited back to britain to stand trial. he denies manslaughter. more than a million hindus, sikhs and jains will celebrate the festival of diwali this weekend

across the uk. the festival marks the victory of the forces of good over evil and communities get together and pray for peace and prosperity for the year ahead. but how are families coping under the virus restrictions? 0ur correspondent rajeev gupta has been finding out. diwali is one of the most celebrated times of the year for hindus, sikhs andjains. times of the year for hindus, sikhs and jains. but this year, the coronavirus means that things will be quieter, with families making do with festivities from home. and for some, they may not even be celebrating at all. mum was all about something —— mike family. celebrating at all. mum was all about something -- mike family. the cruel reality of the virus has just brushed —— but disproportionally affected families. her mother died

just two weeks ago after contracting the virus in the second wave. she was only 63. she was self-isolating. we didn't expect what happened to my mum and we took all the precautions and it would just take an event where people get together for it to go rife, and we wouldn't wish that on any family. diwali is very special and everyone's hearts and we can still celebrate and get dressed up can still celebrate and get dressed up but! can still celebrate and get dressed up but i think all within our own homes without mixing. with diwali falling on a weekend this year, extended families would have expected to come together for large gatherings will stop instead, preparations are now being made for diwali from home. and for me, that includes a video call with my mum and the kids instead of seeing her in person. we will miss all the love

and cuddles. i wish next year we are together and able to celebrate it. asa together and able to celebrate it. as a chance outside downing street to welcome in diwali, the government had put out a plea asking people to respect the strict covid rules. there are thousands of nhs doctors who celebrate diwali every year but this year will be different for them as well with many staff in nhs wards instead. i can't celebrate with friends orfamily, instead. i can't celebrate with friends or family, diwali instead. i can't celebrate with friends orfamily, diwali is all about giving, it is all about resilience, it is all about victory. and if i'm working on that day and i can help people, that isjust as much a celebration in some ways for me. so despite diwali being celebrated in a different way, this year perhaps the festival's central

message of triumph in the face of adversity is a more pertinent one. football fans across scotland have been celebrating after the national side qualified last night for theirfirst major tournament in 22 years. it was a nail—biting match against serbia though — with a penalty shoot out finally securing victory. 0ur scotland correspondent james shaw has been soaking up the reaction to the historic win. wild celebrations in the dressing room, moments after a win which means this team will be playing at the top levels of international football. and it was this saved by david marshall which clinched the result. it looked as if he could hardly believe what he had done. back home, the party was just starting. a seminaked piper struck up

starting. a seminaked piper struck up with flower of scotland and streets silenced by the pandemic suddenly erupted with cheering.“ it can keep covid out of the press for even a day to give a feel good factor, we have done ourjob. on the streets of glasgow, some fans were nursing hangovers, but still euphoric. i actually predicted it, nojoke. isaid, he euphoric. i actually predicted it, nojoke. i said, he is going to save it, bottom left corner. my dream has been to go and see scotland at the tournament and i have never had the chance so for me and my mates it is a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity. this team, this victory, will be celebrated for a long time. but the european championships themselves are only seven months away, a huge test, huge challenge and not least england at wembley. james shaw, bbc news.

he's been on strictly come dancing for 17 years — the only professional dancer from the orginal series. but this weekend anton du beke has finally been given the chance to swap the dance floor for the judge's chairfor the first time. he's replacing motsi mabuse, who's self isolating after a trip abroad. it comes just a day after 0lympic boxer nicola adams was forced to pull out of the show after her partner tested postive for coronavirus. the bbc‘s annual children in need fundraiser is celebrating a0 years on bbc one tonight. events will look a bit different this year of course , but that hasn't stopped stars including kylie minogue, cher and the nation's favourite pe teacherjoe wicks from taking on an epic challenge. 0ur arts correspondent david sillito has more. it began in 1980. the first children in need nationwide tv telephone. welcome to this year's bonanza extravaganza! it raised just over £1 million. welcome to this year's bonanza extravaganza! it raised just over £1 million. and three, two, one, let's go!

start up! a0 years on, joe wicks alone has talked that with his 2a hour work—out, in a year in which children in need's schemes and charities are facing new covid related challenges. keep it going! loneliness, isolation, issues around safety and of course, the big issue around mental health and well—being. now there's a bit of pressure on you because whatever money you're at the end of five questions will go to children in need. and tonight sure will be different. it'll still have the children in need special events, but it'll be shorter, socially distanced and the studio audience will be on zoom. if you think about children in need, it's that interaction with the public and the crowds coming in. you're going to have to try to create that atmosphere in a different way. i mean, obviously not having that kind of physical sense of having lots of people in the room will be a bit strange, but the show must go on. it's going to be absolutely amazing. it will be lovely to have a proper, full on live show in the factory of dreams.

# you keep saying you got something for me. # and it's also a moment to reflect. helping me to persuade you to depart with your money is pudsey! much has changed. this was the original pudsey. you have a grand total of £3,868. fantastic. but the need is as great as it was when it all began a0 years ago. david sillito, bbc news. time for a look at the weather here's chris fawkes. well, today we have seen plenty of showers working across the uk, particularly for western areas. we have also had some high cloud in england, that created this rather nice sun hello. that high cloud is all tied in with this lump of coal, there is —— it is a bit more extensive. this is our next area of low pressure that will be heading oui’ low pressure that will be heading our way just

low pressure that will be heading our wayjust in time for the weekend. we still have showers at the moment, for western areas of the uk and more generally in scotland. 0vernight, pulses of rain developing quite widely. winds are strengthening, it will be a mild night, temperatures 11 in london, 13 in plymouth, for the north eight or nine. the weekend is looking u nsettled, nine. the weekend is looking unsettled, raini times and is a fairly strong winds to come. these areas of rain will come along and pulses so there will be some dryish slots, northern ireland at times having some dry weather photo may be the central belt drying up for a time but most of us will see some fairly heavy rain. always heaviest in the west and accompanied by some strong winds. wales and the west of england could see gusts getting into the low fifties miles per hour. but southerly winds, a mild day across england and wales, 1a or 15 degrees, pretty widely. sunday, more rain spreading eastwards and northwards, lingering in scotland and northern ireland. we will also get a zone of

stronger winds but this time pushing the english channel coast stops over the english channel coast stops over the south coast you could get some wind gusts getting into 50 or low 60s, again very blustery. perhaps some brighter weather at times pushing on across parts of england and wales but notice the fresher air getting in through the afternoon so temperatures through the afternoon about nine to 11. that fresh air will be hanging around into the early stage of next week as well, but it should turn a bit drier for a time on monday before more rain extends into western areas. but this weekend, it is looking unsettled, often wet and windy. that's all from now, we nowjoin the bbc‘s newts