today at six... lawyers for prince andrew argue for the first time in court that the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him should be thrown out. they say he can't be sued because of an agreement signed by his accuser, barring "potential defendants" from court action. but some believe there is no good outcome for the prince. in a but some believe there is no good outcome for the prince.— outcome for the prince. in a way what happens — outcome for the prince. in a way what happens in _ outcome for the prince. in a way what happens in this _ outcome for the prince. in a way what happens in this case - outcome for the prince. in a wayl what happens in this case doesn't matter, the damage has been done. when it comes to prince andrew, one can see no role in royal life for him in the immediate future or the judge says he will deliver a decision soon. thejudge in new york says he'll deliver his decision soon. also on the programme...

the prime minister says the booster roll—out is working. we the prime minister says the booster roll-out is working.— roll-out is working. we have a good chance of getting _ roll-out is working. we have a good chance of getting through _ roll-out is working. we have a good chance of getting through the - chance of getting through the omicron wave without the need for further restrictions and without the need certainly for a lockdown. one of the most prominent women tech billionaires is now a convicted fraudster. elizabeth holmes faces jail for conning investors. and justice at last — more pardons for those convicted of past homosexual activity that's no longer illegal. and coming up in sportsday later in the hour on the bbc news channel... we'll get the latest from sydney ahead of the fourth test with england's cricketers looking to salvage some pride from the ashes series. good evening and welcome

to the bbc news at six. prince andrew's lawyers have been trying to convince an american judge to dismiss the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him. they say his accuser, virginia giuffre, can't sue because of damages she accepted in 2009 from the paedophile jeffrey epstein in return for dropping her claims against him and any other potential defendant. prince andrew has consistently denied her allegations. our royal correspondent, jonny dymond, reports. she says she was sexually assaulted by prince andrew three times. he denies every allegation and says he can't remember meeting her. today his lawyers argued the whole case should be dismissed. the civil case rests partly on this meeting in london, a night when virginia guiffre, here are aged 17, says she was forced to have sex with prince

andrew. it is something the prince has consistently denied. you andrew. it is something the prince has consistently denied.— andrew. it is something the prince has consistently denied. you can say categorically — has consistently denied. you can say categorically that _ has consistently denied. you can say categorically that you _ has consistently denied. you can say categorically that you don't - has consistently denied. you can say categorically that you don't recall - categorically that you don't recall meeting the junior roberts, categorically that you don't recall meeting thejunior roberts, dining with her, dancing with her at tramp or going on to have sex with her at a house in belgravia? i or going on to have sex with her at a house in belgravia?— a house in belgravia? i can absolutely _ a house in belgravia? i can absolutely categorically - a house in belgravia? i can| absolutely categorically tell a house in belgravia? i can - absolutely categorically tell you a house in belgravia? i can absolutely categorically tell you it never _ absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. do absolutely categorically tell you it never happened.— absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. do you recall any kind of sexual _ never happened. do you recall any kind of sexual contact _ never happened. do you recall any kind of sexual contact with - never happened. do you recall any kind of sexual contact with her - never happened. do you recall any kind of sexual contact with her at i kind of sexual contact with her at any other time?— kind of sexual contact with her at l any other time?_ today any other time? none at all. today the lawyers — any other time? none at all. today the lawyers battled _ any other time? none at all. today the lawyers battled in _ any other time? none at all. today the lawyers battled in cards - any other time? none at all. today the lawyers battled in cards for- any other time? none at all. today the lawyers battled in cards for thej the lawyers battled in cards for the first time. at the centre of their arguments, a deal struck between prince andrew's accuser and his former friend jeffrey epstein, who paid virginia guiffre half $1 million. their deal released any other person who could have been included as a potential defendant from further legal challenge by

virginia guiffre. prince andrew's lawyers are needed to persuade the judge that the 2009 deal covered the prince. the court heard... the prince's lawyers demanded details of the allegations against their client but they were slapped down by thejudge. finally, questions were raised as to whether the prince could even use the 2009 deal. he is a third party, the court heard. thejudge said... the heard. the 'udge said... the argument— heard. the judge said... the argument put _ heard. the judge said... tue: argument put forward heard. the judge said... t'te: argument put forward by heard. the judge said... tte: argument put forward by ms

heard. the judge said... t'ta: argument put forward by ms giuffre roberts council was strong. i thought the arguments put forward by prince andrew's council really met with what we call america a very flat bench. thejudge with what we call america a very flat bench. the judge was simply not buying what they were selling. essen buying what they were selling. even if this case is _ buying what they were selling. even if this case is dismissed, the prince is, say veteran royal watchers, badly damaged. when it comes to the _ watchers, badly damaged. when it comes to the monarchy, _ watchers, badly damaged. when it comes to the monarchy, the - watchers, badly damaged. when it - comes to the monarchy, the monarchy is obviously an institution that is big enough to rise above what has happened but when it comes to prince andrew, one has to say that one can see no role in royal life for him in the immediate future or the intermediate future. trials? the immediate future or the intermediate future. now they wait. the 'ud . e intermediate future. now they wait. the judge in — intermediate future. now they wait. the judge in new — intermediate future. now they wait. the judge in new york _ intermediate future. now they wait. the judge in new york says - intermediate future. now they wait. the judge in new york says a - the judge in new york says a decision will come pretty soon. jonny dymond, bbc news. our legal correspondent, dominic casciani, is here. you heard the arguments on both sides for much of the day, what is your reading of how the proceedings went for the prince?—

went for the prince? there was a refreshing _ went for the prince? there was a refreshing lack _ went for the prince? there was a refreshing lack of _ went for the prince? there was a refreshing lack of latin _ went for the prince? there was a refreshing lack of latin and - went for the prince? there was a refreshing lack of latin and a - went for the prince? there was a refreshing lack of latin and a lot| refreshing lack of latin and a lot of directness, completely different to a british court. so much so, the judge swiftly dealt with one of prince andrew's lawyers arguments that a dog is not going to hunt in this case. what is really important is that if the judge was minded to rule swiftly in the prince of�*s favourite today he could have done too things. firstly he could have given an indication of his direction of travel, and secondly he could have caused a very tight timetable he is already set for evidence to be exchanged between sides. he did neither of those things and towards the end of the case he got really focused on the part of the epstein guiffre deal. prince andrew's lawyers say he could be classed as a third party to that deal but that deal also says that third parties can't use that deal without permission of epstein or ms giuffre.

given that epstein is dead and ms giuffre doesn't want this used by prince andrew, thejudge mused that is the end of the story. prince andrew's lawyers hotly disputed that, saying he has a right to say this deal matters and to say the case should be halted as a matter of fairness to him as a dependent. what i'm wondering if it is this critical exchange towards the end that will dictate what happens.— exchange towards the end that will dictate what happens. dominic, thank ou. our legal correspondent, dominic casciani. the prime minister has told a coronavirus news conference at downing street... more hospital trusts have declared critical incidents during the day because of staff shortages and extra admissions

caused by the surge in covid cases. nearly 219,000 new infections have been confirmed — the highest daily figure so far — although it covers four days' reporting in northern ireland and two days' in wales. here's our health editor, hugh pym. the nhs is always under strain at this time of year. now there is a new variant. with london hospitals like this one caught up in the early wave. they are seeing an important difference from previous covid surges... tt difference from previous covid surues. .. , difference from previous covid surges- - -_ difference from previous covid surues... , , surges... it is looking very good, nice and steady. _ surges... it is looking very good, nice and steady. there _ surges... it is looking very good, nice and steady. there is - surges... it is looking very good, nice and steady. there is less - nice and steady. there is less pressure _ nice and steady. there is less pressure on _ nice and steady. there is less pressure on intensive - nice and steady. there is less pressure on intensive care - nice and steady. there is less| pressure on intensive care but nice and steady. there is less - pressure on intensive care but more elsewhere in the hospital. the numbers coming _ elsewhere in the hospital. tte: numbers coming into intensive elsewhere in the hospital. the: numbers coming into intensive care are less and the numbers coming into general ward beds are more. there is a caveat. we don't know as the older people start to get omicron weather that will convert into more people coming into intensive care.-

coming into intensive care. caring for patients _ coming into intensive care. caring for patients brings _ coming into intensive care. caring for patients brings more - coming into intensive care. caring i for patients brings more challenges. this bay has patients all with different conditions, needing to see different conditions, needing to see different consultants, but they are altogether here because they have covid. one of them is dennis who had an underlying lung problem before he caught the virus.— caught the virus. considering i was at death's door, _ caught the virus. considering i was at death's door, they _ caught the virus. considering i was at death's door, they brought - caught the virus. considering i was at death's door, they brought me i at death's door, they brought me back, ifeel good. ifeel really good. i had two lung collapses and they brought me back twice. shadow good. i had two lung collapses and they brought me back twice. adam and jade is staffing — they brought me back twice. adam and jade is staffing pressures _ they brought me back twice. adam and jade is staffing pressures are _ jade is staffing pressures are creating added stress. taste jade is staffing pressures are creating added stress. we have had uuite a creating added stress. we have had quite a cute — creating added stress. we have had quite a cute staff— creating added stress. we have had quite a cute staff shortages, - creating added stress. we have had quite a cute staff shortages, a - creating added stress. we have had quite a cute staff shortages, a lot i quite a cute staff shortages, a lot of staff of sick and isolating. patient wise, i think the numbers are increasing but we are not at full capacity yet. tt are increasing but we are not at full capacity yet-— are increasing but we are not at full capacity yet. it is fear of the unknown- _ full capacity yet. it is fear of the unknown. you _ full capacity yet. it is fear of the unknown. you don't _ full capacity yet. it is fear of the unknown. you don't know - full capacity yet. it is fear of the unknown. you don't know which j full capacity yet. it is fear of the - unknown. you don't know which way it is going _ unknown. you don't know which way it is going to _ unknown. you don't know which way it is going to go, even though right now it _ is going to go, even though right now it feels slightly better than it did this _

now it feels slightly better than it did this time last year. so now it feels slightly better than it did this time last year.— did this time last year. so what mi . ht did this time last year. so what might happen _ did this time last year. so what might happen now? _ did this time last year. so what might happen now? there - did this time last year. so what might happen now? there was| did this time last year. so what l might happen now? there was a did this time last year. so what - might happen now? there was a chance to find out more at the downing street briefing. would you say it is now unlikely or highly unlikely that further restrictions will be introduced in england? t further restrictions will be introduced in england? i would say we have a good — introduced in england? i would say we have a good chance _ introduced in england? i would say we have a good chance of - introduced in england? i would say we have a good chance of getting l we have a good chance of getting through the omicron wave without the need for further restrictions and without the need to certainly for a lockdown. �* :, : ~ :, , , without the need to certainly for a lockdown. 1, . ~ ., , , ., lockdown. back at university college hosital, lockdown. back at university college hospital. there _ lockdown. back at university college hospital, there are _ lockdown. back at university college hospital, there are signs _ lockdown. back at university college hospital, there are signs that - hospital, there are signs that numbers have stabilised but no certainty what will happen next. irate certainty what will happen next. we were certainty what will happen next. l were increasingly worried before the new year and now at the beginning of january, we are seeing very early signs that perhaps some of the demand is lessening but i would caution against thinking we are through the worst of this pandemic. we have a long way to go injanuary so we are planning very much for the worst and hoping for the best. the messa . e worst and hoping for the best. the message to _ worst and hoping for the best. the message to get vaccinated was also pushed again today by the prime minister, he said 61% of patients in

intensive care units hadn't been vaccinated and 90% hadn't had a booster. borisjohnson added that people were dying needlessly because they hadn't had theirjabs. hugh pym, bbc news. the government's latest coronavirus figures, cover differing time periods, for each of the home nations. there were 218,724 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which is another record for the uk. on average, there were nearly 181,411 new cases reported per day in the last week. 48 deaths were recorded, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive test, which means that on average in the last week, 130 deaths were announced every day. the latest figures show there are 14,126 people in hospital with covid. on vaccinations, over 34.3 million people have had a boosterjab, which means 59.8% of those aged 12 and over have now had three vaccine doses. hugh pym is here with me.

record infections, over 200,000 in a day, yet no further restrictions. what is the government's thinking on this? , ., , . this? yes, a big increase in the daily reported _ this? yes, a big increase in the daily reported cases _ this? yes, a big increase in the daily reported cases but - this? yes, a big increase in the daily reported cases but we - this? yes, a big increase in the i daily reported cases but we have this? yes, a big increase in the - daily reported cases but we have to say it is the first time since new year's eve we have had data from all the nations of the uk. there has been some catching up done because of the bank holiday. even so, it is a big numberand so of the bank holiday. even so, it is a big number and so chris whitty made it clear it would go higher from here. that is what they are predicting with omicron. there was a lot of cautionary notes today at the media briefing, that things would get tough, very challenging for the nhs over the next few weeks with rising hospital admissions, nhs over the next few weeks with rising hospitaladmissions, more rising hospital admissions, more problems rising hospitaladmissions, more problems with staff absences and the numbers would go up even though not as high as in the previous wave. but the prime minister has gone further i think than before to say that actually he thinks there is a good

chance that no further restrictions in england will be required, that they can ride it out. he is emphasising, was today continuing to push the message that those who have not had boosters should go out and get them, that is one of the main weapons at this stage. but he has chosen a different course from the other nations of the uk which have tightened restrictions in recent weeks. , :, , :, weeks. many thanks, hugh pym, our health editor. _ millions of pupils across england and northern ireland have gone back to school today, amid concerns over staff shortages caused by covid infections. in england, secondary school students have taken tests on site before returning to lessons, and masks are being being reintroduced in classrooms. but education unions warn that it's likely some groups of pupils will have to be sent home to learn remotely. here's our education editor, branwen jeffreys. both teachers, martyn and lucy, got covid at the same time last term. lucy ended up in hospitalfor a night. we had talked about the amount

of risk we were in in comparison to other people, i suppose, so... children in different schools. myself and lucy have both been teachers. i think we're on plan c, d, e and f at the minute. mark, a secondary head teacher, had a third of his teachers off at one point, so they brought back face masks in classrooms — a precaution reintroduced for teenagers across england. communication in classrooms is impacted. i've got a couple of classes that i take. i'm well aware of the difficulties that teachers and students face, but in my view it's a short—term measure for impact to deal with people's health so we will continue to adapt and be fleet of foot in our approach, i think. today, tests on offer in england's secondary schools, then pupils are asked to test at home like the rest of the uk. for these teenagers in stoke, tests and masks are trade—offs. i think that face—to—face teaching

is obviously always the most important aspect of school because we, you know, online you can't get the same sort of support from teachers. i think it'sjust a case of, like, cracking on with it cos, like, if it's going to affect our education, i think you should just wear it, yeah. it's a bit stressful _ because it's always on my face and i can't really breathe. but i mean, it's obviously got- a positive side because it's helping people to stay safe. no—one wants a repeat of last year's empty classrooms. the worry is rising cases among staff. there are some big differences from last year — so year—group bubbles have gone, which should mean fewer pupils being sent home. and, of course, more teachers and pupils have either been vaccinated or had coronavirus. only a half of teenagers have had at least one jab. apart from scotland,

where more are vaccinated. no masks for primary pupils, vaccines only for the most vulnerable. here, already some staff are off. so currently we have four members of staff that have tested positive over the holidays, so they are not in school with us today. we have had around 90% of our staff have actually had covid. as wales and scotland also return in the coming days, everyone waiting to see if schools can manage through the next peak. branwen jeffreys, bbc news. the us has recorded more than one million covid cases in a single day — the highest tally anywhere in the world. president biden's chief medical adviser dr antony fauci warned that the country was facing an almost "vertical increase" in cases. the figure is nearly double the previous record, registered just four days ago. the surge is being blamed on the omicron variant. the labour leader, sir keir starmer,

has pledged to provide "straight leadership," in what he called a "binding contract" with the british public. he made the commitment, as he set out his vision for the priorities of a labour government. sir keir said the conservatives had lost the people's trust, but that didn't mean his party, would automatically inherit public confidence. our deputy political editor, vicki young, reports from west bromwich. what does it take to be a leader and has keir starmer got what it takes. critics say he lacks charisma, a lawyer who is good with words but does not inspire. today though he was wholeheartedly embracing nonserious image. 50 t was wholeheartedly embracing nonserious image.— was wholeheartedly embracing nonserious image. so i want to start the new year _ nonserious image. so i want to start the new year by _ nonserious image. so i want to start the new year by making _ nonserious image. so i want to start the new year by making a _ nonserious image. so i want to start the new year by making a pledge i nonserious image. so i want to start the new year by making a pledge ofj the new year by making a pledge of straight leadership. today i want to introduce my contract with the british people. this will be a solemn agreement about what this country needs, and how a good

government should conduct itself. few would argue with the broad values he laid out. security, prosperity and respect. this was all about drawing a comparison with borisjohnson. t about drawing a comparison with boris johnson.— boris johnson. i don't think olitics boris johnson. i don't think politics is _ boris johnson. i don't think politics is a _ boris johnson. i don't think politics is a branch - boris johnson. i don't think politics is a branch of - boris johnson. i don't think politics is a branch of the i politics is a branch of the entertainment industry. i think it is the serious business of getting things done. is the serious business of getting things done-— is the serious business of getting thins done. :, , :, , , :, things done. labour strategists that mrjohnson's _ things done. labour strategists that mrjohnson's style _ things done. labour strategists that mrjohnson's style is _ things done. labour strategists that mrjohnson's style is wearing - things done. labour strategists that mrjohnson's style is wearing thin . mrjohnson's style is wearing thin after recent mistakes, but can they convince voters that they are a government in waiting?- convince voters that they are a government in waiting? when it comes to our government in waiting? when it comes to your leadership _ government in waiting? when it comes to your leadership you _ government in waiting? when it comes to your leadership you spend _ government in waiting? when it comes to your leadership you spend a - government in waiting? when it comes to your leadership you spend a lot - to your leadership you spend a lot of lime _ to your leadership you spend a lot of time talking about patriotism and standing _ of time talking about patriotism and standing in front of a flag, often, but some — standing in front of a flag, often, but some people want to know what specific _ but some people want to know what specific policies you have?— specific policies you have? firstly, i'm ve specific policies you have? firstly, i'm very proud _ specific policies you have? firstly, i'm very proud to _ specific policies you have? firstly, i'm very proud to stand _ specific policies you have? firstly, i'm very proud to stand in - specific policies you have? firstly, i'm very proud to stand in front. specific policies you have? firstly, i'm very proud to stand in front of| i'm very proud to stand in front of the flag and i've done it many times before including when i was director of public prosecutions representing our country ten years ago so i've always been very proud to do so. labour talks about winning back trust. here in west bromwich it lost both seeds to the conservatives at the last election. when he first became leader, the main aim seem to

became leader, the main aim seem to be for keir starmer that he had broken withjeremy be for keir starmer that he had broken with jeremy corbyn be for keir starmer that he had broken withjeremy corbyn but now he is contrasting his leadership without boris johnson. is contrasting his leadership without borisjohnson. but is contrasting his leadership without boris johnson. but soon is contrasting his leadership without borisjohnson. but soon he will have to define himself beyond general values, and that will require some detailed policy announcements. t require some detailed policy announcements.— announcements. i think he's brilliant- _ announcements. i think he's brilliant. why? _ announcements. i think he's brilliant. why? because - announcements. i think he's brilliant. why? because he i announcements. i think he's| brilliant. why? because he is announcements. i think he's - brilliant. why? because he is clear, articulate and _ brilliant. why? because he is clear, articulate and educated _ brilliant. why? because he is clear, articulate and educated and he doesn't lie. that is a good start. t doesn't lie. that is a good start. i think he's useless, to be quite honest — think he's useless, to be quite honest i— think he's useless, to be quite honest. i don't think he's got any sort of— honest. i don't think he's got any sort of idea — honest. i don't think he's got any sort of idea of what labour voters are looking — sort of idea of what labour voters are looking for. i wouldn't vote for him _ are looking for. i wouldn't vote for him i_ are looking for. i wouldn't vote for him i voted — are looking for. i wouldn't vote for him. ivoted labourall are looking for. i wouldn't vote for him. i voted labour all my life, are looking for. i wouldn't vote for him. ivoted labour all my life, but i him. ivoted labour all my life, but iwouldn't — him. ivoted labour all my life, but i wouldn't vote for him. i him. i voted labour all my life, but i wouldn't vote for him.— i wouldn't vote for him. i think he comes across _ i wouldn't vote for him. i think he comes across as _ i wouldn't vote for him. i think he comes across as a _ i wouldn't vote for him. i think he comes across as a very _ i wouldn't vote for him. i think he comes across as a very genuine l i wouldn't vote for him. i think he l comes across as a very genuine and honest— comes across as a very genuine and honest man _ comes across as a very genuine and honest man but — comes across as a very genuine and honest man but i _ comes across as a very genuine and honest man but i have _ comes across as a very genuine and honest man but i have great- honest man but i have great difficulty— honest man but i have great difficulty understanding - honest man but i have great. difficulty understanding which direction _ difficulty understanding which direction he _ difficulty understanding which direction he wants— difficulty understanding which direction he wants to - difficulty understanding which direction he wants to go - difficulty understanding which direction he wants to go in i difficulty understanding which direction he wants to go in or| difficulty understanding which - direction he wants to go in or what he wants— direction he wants to go in or what he wants to — direction he wants to go in or what he wants to do _ direction he wants to go in or what he wants to do.— he wants to do. labour mps insist keir starmer _ he wants to do. labour mps insist keir starmer has _ he wants to do. labour mps insist keir starmer has set _ he wants to do. labour mps insist keir starmer has set the - he wants to do. labour mps insist keir starmer has set the party - he wants to do. labour mps insist keir starmer has set the party on | keir starmer has set the party on the right path. they know they will have to do more than wait for government slip—ups. vicki young, bbc news. the time is 6.19pm.

our top story this evening... lawyers for prince andrew have argued the first time in court that the civil lawsuit for sexual assault against him by giuffre should be thrown out. and still to come... with the ashes already lost, england prepare for the 4th test in sydney — a full review is promised after another series defeat down under. coming up in sportsday in the next 15 minutes on the bbc news channel... novak djokovic will be in melbourne to defend his australian open title but only after being given a medical exemption to compete because he's unvaccinated. a tech entrepreneur who became a billionaire by claiming her health company could diagnose a range of medical conditions with a simple blood test has been found guilty of fraud. a jury in california convicted elizabeth holmes of tricking investors when a newspaper revealed her blood test machines didn't work. here's james clayton. we'd like to see a world in which every person gets access

to this type of basic testing. elizabeth holmes had a vision that turned her into a billionaire — that she could create a machine that she called the edison that could detect hundreds of diseases with just a few drops of blood. the pitch convinced some very important people. media tycoon rupert murdoch invested, bill clinton was a fan. behind me are theranos's former head offices — very plush, very expensive and in the heart of silicon valley. and the great and the good came to visit theranos. evenjoe biden came to california and heaped praise on the company. success seemed inevitable. yet holmes is now facing a lengthy prison sentence as a convicted fraudster. an astonishing fall from grace. this is my certificate for theranos, showing my shares and it was actually signed by elizabeth holmes. eileen lepera was a secretary in silicon valley. she heard about this

amazing new company. my boss had indicated that it was going to be, in his words, "the next apple," and that i should get as many shares as i could, and so i did. it was six figures, which was a large amount for me. what eileen didn't know was that elizabeth holmes was selling was a nightmare. the technology didn't work, but investors like eileen had no idea. she lost every cent of her investment. the retail giant walgreens had a contract with theranos to diagnose patients with its machines. however, the court heard that theranos wasn't using its edison machines, but was instead using openly available diagnostic equipment. the court also heard that some patients had been misdiagnosed. and yet, it took years for the truth to unravel. whistle—blowers struggled to make themselves heard as holmes pushed the company forward. she almost has this reality distortion field around her that

other people can get sucked into. even when i was working with the product every single day, and seeing it fail time after time after time, and i could go and have a five—minute conversation with elizabeth and feel like i was saving the world again. elizabeth holmes has argued at trial that she had always attempted to create a genuine product that worked and that she never intended to commit fraud. a new mother, some also believed that the jury might go easy on miss holmes. that did not come to pass. what happened behind those closed doors has led to a lot of introspection here in silicon valley. but there's still a culture of faking it till you make it here, and until that changes, people worry that what happened in theranos could happen again. james clayton, bbc news. more people will be entitiled to automatic pardons for past convictions, for consensual homosexual activity, that is now no longer illegal. the home secretary, priti patel, says she hopes the revised scheme,

"would go some way to righting the wrongs of the past". however, campaigners say the list of crimes for such pardons, is still too narrow. here's our home editor, mark easton. 40 yea rs 40 years ago, terry stuart was fined £20 for chatting up gay men, importuning in the legaljargon of the time. he has always claimed he was framed for being an activist. the law itself has long been revealed, but as a sex offence, the conviction has stayed on his file from that day until this. t conviction has stayed on his file from that day until this. i couldn't aet from that day until this. i couldn't net work from that day until this. i couldn't get work anywhere _ from that day until this. i couldn't get work anywhere because - from that day until this. i couldn't get work anywhere because i - from that day until this. i couldn't i get work anywhere because i would from that day until this. i couldn't - get work anywhere because i would be asked for a dvs, which was then called a criminal conviction record, and that was something that appeared on your record every time you went for a job. on your record every time you went for a 'ob. , ., on your record every time you went fora'ob. , , for a 'ob. there is no possibility ou for a job. there is no possibility you could _ for a job. there is no possibility you could be — for a job. there is no possibility you could be pardoned. - for a job. there is no possibility you could be pardoned. how. for a job. there is no possibility | you could be pardoned. how you for a job. there is no possibility - you could be pardoned. how you feel about that? , :, you could be pardoned. how you feel about that? , ., ., you could be pardoned. how you feel about that?— about that? they are pardoning you for something _ about that? they are pardoning you for something you _ about that? they are pardoning you for something you didn't _ about that? they are pardoning you for something you didn't do. - about that? they are pardoning you for something you didn't do. the i about that? they are pardoning you | for something you didn't do. the law

itself was a homophobic law. public attitudes towards _ itself was a homophobic law. public attitudes towards homosexuality have changed beyond recognition since the late 70s and early 80s when police patrols in london's oh would target 93)’ patrols in london's oh would target gay men. while people have been able to apply to have historical same sexual convictions and cautions disregarded since 2012, the government thinks the rules are still too narrow. they want the pardon scheme to be expanded to cover every effect, civilian or military, involving consensual sexual activity. military, involving consensual sexualactivity. david military, involving consensual sexual activity. david bonnie believes he is the last man ever to believes he is the last man ever to be jailed for being gay in britain. he was serving with the raf in 1993 when he was sent to prison for homosexual activity. when he was sent to prison for homosexualactivity. he when he was sent to prison for homosexual activity. he is unhappy that the proposed reforms required him to apply to clear his name. tt is still down to me, who was the victim, bully, to go to the bully and asked the bully to forgive me. they can find me, i'm on the

electoral register and they can find me and seek me out and pardon me. the scheme became known as turing's law after alan turing, who killed himself after being convicted of gross indecency. launched in 2012, it was thought around 15,000 men might be eligible to have convictions disregarded, but almost a decade on, and almost 485 people have applied, of which only 198 have been officially pardoned.— been officially pardoned. sadly, many men _ been officially pardoned. sadly, many men who _ been officially pardoned. sadly, many men who have _ been officially pardoned. sadly, many men who have been - been officially pardoned. sadly, i many men who have been affected been officially pardoned. sadly, - many men who have been affected by this will already have died, too late to receive a pardon and many thousands more will have retired and will no longer be in a position to benefit practically from this change. benefit practically from this chance. �* :, , , benefit practically from this chance. :, , , , benefit practically from this chane. �* :, , , , :, change. britain prides itself on the reforms it has _ change. britain prides itself on the reforms it has made _ change. britain prides itself on the reforms it has made in _ change. britain prides itself on the | reforms it has made in normalising and celebrating same—sex relationships, but today's proposals are a reminder of how the scars of past intolerance and prejudice still burn. mark easton, bbc news. the tennis world number one novak djokovic

will defend his australian open title later this month, after getting a medical exemption from having a covid—19 vaccination. tournament officials said djokovic's application had been granted following a rigorous review process involving two independent panels. the player is a critic of vaccine mandates and has not said publicly whether he's been jabbed. the man who oversees england's senior mens cricket teams has apologised for the ashes failure in australia. ashley giles has told the bbc, he knows there's "a lot of anger" over how the side has performed. with the series already lost, england have recalled stuart broad for the fourth test, which begins in sydney tonight. here'sjoe wilson. england in australia. well, it's a recipe for failure. they're about to start the fourth test with the series already lost. these are the moments, the wickets which confirmed it, but we've seen it all before. this ashes defeatjust follows the recent pattern. is that an acceptable explanation? we've come here, in 34 years, and won once. 0k?

being here now, in this position, i absolutely feel the responsibility of losing this ashes series, absolutely, and we all do. and we can only apologise, and i know there will be a lot of emotion, a lot of anger, about how we've lost it. as managing director, ashley giles oversees men's cricket. england are in sydney without several coaches, who remain in melbourne in covid isolation. and giles urges us to consider the covid context for the players. they get pushed and pulled everywhere, they get things stuck up their nose all the time, and theyjust get on with it. but it's extremely difficult. and in terms of my position, look, that's not for me to decide, but you can clearly tell by the way i'm talking that i'm thinking very much about the future and how we take this team forward. from australia's perspective, at least they've had someone to beat. england have fulfilled that basic requirement. i think it's been really tough forthem, so, we'rejust really

thankful that they're out here, couldn't be happier with how it's going for us. we've been on the other side of it before, so, it's not going to be like that forever so we'll enjoy it while we can. well, an old friend of australia, stuart broad, is back in the england team. he's been shockingly good in the ashes before, at least on home soil. a review of this tour may conclude that english cricket doesn't produce the players to succeed in australia. reviews often say that. practice won't make perfect, but it mayjust bring some pride, and traditionally, by sydney, that's all that's left. joe wilson, bbc news. time for a look at the weather, with ben rich. remember that my all start to the year? how things have seen cold air working its way southwards across the uk or at least much colder than the uk or at least much colder than the air we had several days ago and it brought some snow in several places and this was the scene in county down with wintry showers working across western areas and a

mix of rain, sleet and snow and frequent showers across northern scotland and we've seen significant accumulation blowing in on strong winds giving blizzard conditions on the slowly easing through the night and further wintry showers in northern and western areas, clear spells elsewhere and the potential for eyes just about anywhere but especially across northern and northern scotland and the temperature is widely down around freezing and below freezing in a few places and a cold and potentially frosty and icy starting tomorrow morning. we will see some wintry showers raising close to the east coast and it will stay windy here and some out west as well but they will tend to ease down through the day and by the end of tomorrow most places should be dry with spells of sunshine but it will still be chilly with temperatures between three and 7 degrees for most, maybe nine in the far south—west of england. very cold through wednesday night under the high pressure, may be down to —8 and into thursday we bring a weather system in from the west and associated with that is a very, very

narrow wedge of