the westminster government will block scotland's gender recognition bill — arguing it will have a negative impact on uk law. teachers in scotland start a wave of rolling strikes as teachers in england and wales announce seven days of strikes starting on 1st february. a british man is feared to have died after a plane crashed in nepal with 72 people on board — rescuers have given up hope of finding survivors. the newspaper columnist and tv presenterjeremy clarkson has written to the duke and duchess of sussex to apologise over his comments in the sun about meghan. tonight on bbc london. a metropolitan police officer and a prolific sex offender. david carrick attacked 12 women over 17 years. the force admits it should've stopped him earlier.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. a serving metropolitan police officer has been revealed as one of the britain's most prolific sex offenders after he admitted dozens of rapes and sexual offences over a period of almost 20 years. 48—year—old pc david carrick was working as an armed officer in the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command. pc carrick has pleaded guilty to 49 offences against 12 women — including 2a counts of rape. the met has apologised after it emerged he had come to the attention of police over nine alleged incidents. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports. david carrick, the serial rapist and violent sexual predator who for 20 years wore a police uniform. in his private life he told his victims, "you are my slave," as he controlled and abused them, subjecting them

to appalling acts of degradation. this is devastating for the victims that had to go through the pain and suffering at the hands of a serving police officer. this is a day that policing definitely has taken as that back. his policing definitely has taken as that back. , ., , ., . ~ policing definitely has taken as that back. , ., , ., a ., that back. his “ob carrick carried a nun is that back. his job carrick carried a gun is regarded — that back. his job carrick carried a gun is regarded the _ that back. his job carrick carried a gun is regarded the houses - that back. his job carrick carried a gun is regarded the houses of- gun is regarded the houses of parliament as part of the parliamentary and diplomatic protection guide this was the same unit it is disgraced pc wayne couzens. in public of duty he was seen as a cocky character. this was him in 2020 a year before his arrest. behind the smiling face was arrest. behind the smiling face was a monster and there were warnings before he became a police officer. even before hejoined the met, he was a suspect in offences involving a former partner. the following year, he passed the met�*s vetting procedure. between 2002 and 2009, he was accused of involvement

in a number of incidents involving women including harassment and domestic abuse. it was in 2009 that he successfully applied to join what is now the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command. seven years later, he was a suspect in a harassment complaint. 12 months after that, he got through his police vetting again. in 2019, he faced another allegation of domestic violence and then in 2021, there was a rape complaint made against him. a perpetrator like carrick had demonstrated egregious behaviour over a long time but none of the dots werejoint over a long time but none of the dots were joint and he was able to hide in plain sight and remain in the force. ~ . ., , the force. the met admitted failings in this case as _ the force. the met admitted failings in this case as recently _ the force. the met admitted failings in this case as recently as _ the force. the met admitted failings in this case as recently as the - in this case as recently as the summer of 2021 at that time the force was told david carrick was under investigation by hertfordshire

police over a rape allegation. he was put on restricted duties but he was put on restricted duties but he was allowed to carry on working. this was four months after the rape and murder of sarah everard. david carrick in the dock today. he and murder of sarah everard. david carrick in the dock today.— carrick in the dock today. he will be sentenced _ carrick in the dock today. he will be sentenced next month. - carrick in the dock today. he will be sentenced next month. the i carrick in the dock today. he will - be sentenced next month. the victims who suffered at the hands of david carrick has finally seen justice. it is their courage in standing up against this abusive man, a police officer, that helped secure his conviction. officer, that helped secure his conviction-— officer, that helped secure his conviction. ., , , , officer, that helped secure his conviction. ., ,, , ., conviction. now the focus shifts to the metropolitan _ conviction. now the focus shifts to the metropolitan police _ conviction. now the focus shifts to the metropolitan police and - conviction. now the focus shifts to the metropolitan police and its - the metropolitan police and its failure to root out a criminal in uniform. june kelly, bbc news at southwark crown court. let's get more from our home editor mark easton, who's at new scotland yard. how damaging is this for the metropolitan police? extremely dama . in . metropolitan police? extremely damaging and _ metropolitan police? extremely damaging and i _ metropolitan police? extremely damaging and i spoke _ metropolitan police? extremely damaging and i spoke to - metropolitan police? extremely damaging and i spoke to the . metropolitan police? extremely . damaging and i spoke to the senior commissioner mark rowley and he said he is determined to be ruthless in

rooting out any officer who is damaging the integrity of his force. indeed all 16,000 officers and staff in the met are having the records checked again against the national computer and if any convictions or any intelligence emerges that as a cause for concern then they may well face the sack. i'm told is already an internal disciplinary inquiry has identified 1000 allegations of sexual offending and domestic abuse by something like 800 individuals. and the commissioner knows that this process he is going through will cause a lot more bad headlines before the good headlines come again. for him that is the only way to restore trust. as he says it will be about turning over every stone to see what crawls out. in the last hour, we've heard news that the uk government has decided to block holyrood's gender recognition reform bill

from becoming law. it is the first time a scottish bill has been stopped on the basis that the uk government believes it will have a negative impact on uk law. ina in a moment we will speak to chris mason but first more on the background to the story from lauren maas. ~ ., , ., ., maas. well to remind you what the uender maas. well to remind you what the gender recognition _ maas. well to remind you what the gender recognition perform - maas. well to remind you what the gender recognition perform bill- maas. well to remind you what the gender recognition perform bill is, | gender recognition perform bill is, it was passed by the scottish parliament last month and will make it easierfor parliament last month and will make it easier for people who live in scotland or are born in scotland to change their legal six as listed on their birth, marriage or death certificate. so the bill would remove a need for medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, the sense of unease that someone would experience if their gender identity or perception of their gender is different to the six registered when born. it will allow the age when people could apply to be lowered to 16 instead of 18. around 25 or 30

people changed their legal six in scotland every year in the scottish government estimates this could increase tenfold to around 300 a year. other countries in europe have a form of self identification. we do not know how many in scotland may apply but the senses in england and wales found 96,000 people identified as transgender men and women. the current process to get the gender recognition certificate is so costly and dehumanising that i have not been _ and dehumanising that i have not been able — and dehumanising that i have not been able to access that myself even tbough— been able to access that myself even though i_ been able to access that myself even though i have been out as a chance since _ though i have been out as a chance since i_ though i have been out as a chance since i was — though i have been out as a chance since i was 18 and now i'm 23. i've been— since i was 18 and now i'm 23. i've been on— since i was 18 and now i'm 23. i've been on the — since i was 18 and now i'm 23. i've been on the waiting list for gender identity— been on the waiting list for gender identity clinic for nearly five years — identity clinic for nearly five ears. ~ , , identity clinic for nearly five ears. ~ i, ., years. why is it controversial? critics are _ years. why is it controversial? critics are concerned - years. why is it controversial? critics are concerned about. years. why is it controversial? l critics are concerned about how years. why is it controversial? - critics are concerned about how the bill could come into conflict with the law in the rest of uk which scotland does not have the power to make changes to. for example if someone changes their legal six what is the impact on access to six

spaces like domestic abuse whether or schools in the case of andre teens under the equality act certain spaces can exclude transgender people if there is justifiable reasons like privacy but if there is an increase in people changing their legal six and the rest of the uk does not recognise that there are concerns it could create what one barrister has described as a nightmare complication. it appears likel that nightmare complication. it appears likely that the _ nightmare complication. it appears likely that the scottish _ nightmare complication. it appears likely that the scottish gender - likely that the scottish gender recognition certificate would not be recognised in the rest of the uk. so a person— recognised in the rest of the uk. so a person living in scotland who has changed _ a person living in scotland who has changed six would be the new six for scottish— changed six would be the new six for scottish purposes but the original six and _ scottish purposes but the original six and the rest of the uk. the government — six and the rest of the uk. the government in _ six and the rest of the uk. tue: government in westminster six and the rest of the uk. tts: government in westminster has six and the rest of the uk. "tt9 government in westminster has in six and the rest of the uk. tt9: government in westminster has in the last hour decided to make a section 35 order under the scotland act, an attempt to block the bill from becoming law. the first ministerfor scotland nicola sturgeon previously

said such an intervention would be an outrage. it is almost certain this will be challenged by the scottish government and end up in the courts. 0ur political editor chris mason is in holyrood. just clarify the significance of this and the reaction to it? hagar this and the reaction to it? how well covered _ this and the reaction to it? how well covered and _ this and the reaction to it? how well covered and from - this and the reaction to it? firm" well covered and from where and who wields power as some of the biggest questions in politics. and we see them playing out tonight. the very nature of the scottish parliament and scottish government here is grounded in a law that is a quarter of a century old, the tail end of the 1990s. within that it was set out the legal basis upon which the scottish parliament and government would interact legally with the uk government. and yet until now whenever laws have been passed here they will travel to london and be checked to make sure they were compliant with uk laws but when that

happened, pretty much the process just carried on and it would become law here without any problems. for the first time it is unprecedented in the modern history of devolution, the sharing of power, government tonight triggering that article in the scotland act and stopping the scottish parliament and scottish government doing what it was hoping to do on the basis of a big majority here. so hugely significant in how the nations are governed and it will provoke a huge row. without the first minister in the past talk about the prospect of this being an outrage and with just heard from her in the last couple of minutes describing this as a full frontal attack on the democratically elected scottish parliament and its ability to make its own decisions on devolved matters, those that can be made here. the scottish government will defend the legislation and

stand up for the scottish parliament. she says is the veto succeeds it would be the first of many. but as far as the uk government is concerned it argued that it had to act because we have a conflict between these laws and that is a problem and they were especially concerned about the consequence of a scottish law having implications beyond the geography if you like of scotland elsewhere in the uk. all we can say for certain tonight is this row is onlyjust beginning, this is not the end but just the start. beginning, this is not the end but just the start-— beginning, this is not the end but just the start. chris mason, thank ou. teachers in england and wales have voted to go on strike for seven days in february and march over pay. the strike action begins on 1st february. individual schools will be affected for a maximum of four days, as action takes place nationally and regionally. 0ur education editor branwen jeffreys reports. this summer they faced gcse exams

and now a series of teaching strikes. these teenagers lost out to two lockdowns. and here in sheffield they will be the priority. the intention — they will be the priority. the intention is _ they will be the priority. the intention is to _ they will be the priority. tt9 intention is to remain open and make sure that they have no last planning time. we don't want to close the school but in the event we are able not to remain open and we will go to virtual school just as we not to remain open and we will go to virtual schooljust as we did during the pandemic. th virtual schooljust as we did during the pandemic-— the pandemic. in england the government _ the pandemic. in england the government advice _ the pandemic. in england the government advice to - the pandemic. in england thej government advice to schools the pandemic. in england the i government advice to schools is the pandemic. in england the - government advice to schools is to try to stay open. in updated guidelines it will stress vulnerable pupils should be in school. for many teachers this has been an incredibly difficult decision. they are acutely aware of all the disruption caused by the pandemic to children's education but at the same time for most of the value of their pay has fallen hugely in the past ten years. it is such a terrible decision to make. ., .. , ~ it is such a terrible decision to make. ., , ,, make. for teachers like matthew the real value of —

make. for teachers like matthew the real value of pay _ make. for teachers like matthew the real value of pay has _ make. for teachers like matthew the real value of pay has fallen _ real value of pay has fallen sharply, up to 13% since 2010. t real value of pay has fallen sharply, up to 13% since 2010. i had to vote for — sharply, up to 13% since 2010. i had to vote for yes _ sharply, up to 13% since 2010. i had to vote for yes unfortunately - sharply, up to 13% since 2010. t téc to vote for yes unfortunately and i feel that it goes against all my morals and what i strive for when i talk to year 11 students but unless we make significant action i do not think the government will change. the union leader told me that tate should keep up with the cost of living. but what about the disruption for pupils? there could be disruption. _ disruption for pupils? there could be disruption, we _ disruption for pupils? there could be disruption, we want _ disruption for pupils? there could be disruption, we want to - disruption for pupils? there could i be disruption, we want to minimise that by getting the government to talk to us but ijust want that by getting the government to talk to us but i just want to that by getting the government to talk to us but ijust want to repeat to the fact that we have not got enough teachers, that we have not got qualified teachers, we do not have special needs support systems is damaging children's education every day. th is damaging children's education eve da . , is damaging children's education eve da. , ., is damaging children's education eve da. ,., every day. in leeds today teacher strikes got _ every day. in leeds today teacher strikes got a _ every day. in leeds today teacher strikes got a mixed _ every day. in leeds today teacher strikes got a mixed reaction. - strikes got a mixed reaction. disappointed because my son is in his last year at high school doing his last year at high school doing his gcse exams. from the perspective i can understand but that is what

they feel they need to do. tt’s i can understand but that is what they feel they need to do. it's not really good _ they feel they need to do. it's not really good because _ they feel they need to do. it's not really good because it _ they feel they need to do. it's not really good because it would - they feel they need to do. it's not really good because it would be i they feel they need to do. it's not i really good because it would be the same _ really good because it would be the same situation as lockdown. this evenina same situation as lockdown. this evening this _ same situation as lockdown. tt 3 evening this response from the education secretary in england. iloathed education secretary in england. what we are keen — education secretary in england. what we are keen to _ education secretary in england. what we are keen to do _ education secretary in england. what we are keen to do is _ education secretary in england. twat we are keen to do is make education secretary in england. “9:deth we are keen to do is make sure schools stay open for vulnerable pupils and exam cohorts and critical workers. so that is our focus but it is obviously disappointing that children are going to potentially miss some days of school. today teacher in _ miss some days of school. today teacher in some _ miss some days of school. today teacher in some parts _ miss some days of school. today teacher in some parts of - miss some days of school. today| teacher in some parts of scotland were on strike again. the first strikes in england and wales will be injust over strikes in england and wales will be in just over two weeks adding to the waves of public sector disruption. branwen jeffreys, bbc news. nurses in england are due to walk out on wednesday and thursday this week, and again for two days next month. 0ur health editor

hugh pym joins me now. this strike action intensifying. the two new this strike action intensifying. tt9 two new dates announced by the royal couege two new dates announced by the royal college of nursing. 12 hours each time, affecting 73 nhs trusts in england and six welsh—held boards, by comparison the action this week on a wednesday and thursday by nurses in england will affect 55 trusts, and back to december when they first staged the walk—outs it was 1m. so the rcn are arguing they are escalating it each time as the long as it remains unresolved. the gmb will announce shortly strike dates by ambulance staff. so no signs of progress since talks last week involving ministers and unions and it appears that health ministers in england are trying to work on a possible deal where by next year's pay award will include a bit of a

back dating of one single payment, to cover the last few months but there is no sign at this stage, of there is no sign at this stage, of the treasury agreeing to that. thank ou. thank you. police are questioning a 22—year—old man on suspicion of attempted murder after a drive—by shooting in central london on saturday. gunmen opened fired outside a church near euston station, as mourners left a memorial service for a young woman and her mother. a seven year—old girl is in a life threatening condition and five others were also hurt. celestina 0lulode's report contains distressing images from the start. chaos inside a central london church. people scramble and run in all directions, as shotses are fired outside. emergency services quickly arrived to the scene of the shooting, eyewitnesses say, they saw a woman lying on the pave. . mr; a woman lying on the pave. . my dau~hter a woman lying on the pave. . tjt daughter witnessed the a woman lying on the pave. . m daughter witnessed the lady a woman lying on the pave. . m“ daughter witnessed the lady falling on to the side road, she was

bleeding, everyone was running, you know, trying to save her from bleeding too much, and that traumatised my children. since saturday night they have been actually finding it difficult to sleep. is actually finding it difficult to slee -. i ., ., , sleep. is filmed on cctv, moments before the incident, _ sleep. is filmed on cctv, moments before the incident, a _ sleep. is filmed on cctv, moments before the incident, a black - sleep. is filmed on cctv, moments before the incident, a black toyota | before the incident, a black toyota suv approaches the church. after a gunshot is heard, people panic and run down the road. four women and two girls aged seven and 12 were injured here on saturday. now police say that the younger child remains in a stable but life—threatening condition, while one of the other victims, a 48—year—old woman sustained injuries which could be life—changing. the which could be life-changing. the shootinu which could be life-changing. the shooting on _ which could be life—changing. tt9 shooting on saturday was a senseless act of violence, to carry a gun, let alone use one is acceptable, but to

use it as a funeral beggars belief. people were at the church to remember the lives of fresia and her daughter sarah. both died from medical conditions in november. a 22—year—old man was arrested in north london yesterday afternoon. police continue to appeal for eyewitnesses. celestina 0lulode, bbc news. a serving metropolitan police officer — pc david carrick — has pleaded guilty to dozens of rapes and sexual offences against 12 women over two decades. and in tennis britain's emma raducanu and cameron norrie are both through to the second round of the australian open. and on bbc london, the campaigner who wants drivers to be forced to report it to politician if they run ever a cat. and the engineering feat that is the uk's biggest railway bridge, but not everyone's

celebrating its arrival. the latest inflation figures are out this week. it comes as households say they're continuing to cut back on energy use and rein in extra spending as the cost of living crisis bites even deeper into people's finances. an opinion poll commissioned by the bbc suggests the extent of the changes people of all income brackets are making. 54% — more than half — said they struggled to pay essential bills in the last six months, with 14% saying they skipped a meal to pay for heating. 0ur correspondent colletta smith has the story. do you know what they are? marie and kirsty are seriously savvy about saving energy and trimming their spending. we try and go out a lot more, so we'll go to places like this, we'll go to soft play areas, things like that. we've also tried to look

at what appliances we use, so rather than using an oven we are nowjust using the air fryers and things like that, because it is so much more efficient for us. as childminders with six children to care for between them, as well as families of their own, life has got very expensive. all the lights, they're all on lockdown for lights, and don't plug things in that you don't need to plug in, and... do you think that makes a difference? when there's five of you in one house, and then all the other ones come and use things as well, it mounts up, so you've got to just watch everything. the poll for the bbc suggests that 68% of people have turned down the thermostat this winter, while 62% bought less food in the last week. we used to do big shops all the time, and now it's like, i go out, here and then, to get what i need. as an ms sufferer, kerryanne lives off her benefit payments. she is about to move into a rented council house and is dreading the high energy bills. can only have the heating on for a certain amount of time a day, and like,

i have dressing gowns and blankets. we're out most of the day any way. 17% of those polled have said they have fallen into arrears on their energy bills in the last six months, with renters and those in social or council housing most likely to struggle. i don't think we will ever be able to save. like i'm on, i get what i get, i'm on benefits, so i can't really get more money, whereas they can work more, but i get what i get, i can only go on what the government give me extra. 81% of those polled said they were worried about the cost of living, and most of those people said it was having some negative effect on their mental health. but there are ways out. you're not alone. millions of people are in the same boats. there are a number of solutions,, but those solutions could mean that potentially we may be able to help them get all their debts written off. it would be looking to find, to get to situations where a client is in a manageable situation, so they can eat, they can heat, they can live comfortably and safely. # the wheels on the bus

go round and round. as the cost of living crisis rolls on, families are changing their habits and trimming their spending, as they try to find a new rhythm. well done, boys and girls. coletta smith, bbc news in garforth. for more information on how to deal with the cost of living, head to the tackling it together section on the front page of our website. you'll find information on what to do if you have debts you can't pay and tips on protecting your mental health. rescuers have given up hope of finding any survivors in nepal after the worst plane crash there for decades. 72 passengers and crew were on board the yeti airlines flight from kathmandu to the tourist town of pokhara when it crashed shortly before landing. 0ur correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan, sent this report from near the site

of the crash. scattered across the river bank. fragments of flight 691. windows still intact. seats mangled close by. like pieces of a broken toy, the remnants of a national tragedy. now hundreds of police officers are continuing their work here. they have given up hope on finding any survivors, but now as they pick through the wreckage, they are trying to find clues to work out how this tragedy happened. today, rescue teams recovered the flight�*s recorder, which they hope will shed more light on what happened. nepal has a history of fatal air tragedies. the mountain terrain and weather can be tricky to navigate. but poor investment and weak regulation have also been blamed for past accidents. translation: the government has formed a commission, _ and will investigate.

we have given them information, and will send more. this footage appears to show the flight�*s last moments. it came down just before landing at pokhara airport. officials told the bbc the pilot asked to change runways on approach. after he was given the clear, the plane crashed. people living near the gorge say they are thankful the plane landed away from their houses near by. a small mercy for a country reeling from this latest air disaster. a 21—year—old woman, a regular flyer with yeti airlines was onboard the fateful flight. a folk singer, she was on her way to perform at a festival. tonight her friends say they are still waiting for her body to be released. translation: she was a very talented artist, l

and used to sing folk songs, i have no words to describe the loss. as armed police guard the hospital, families wait outside. it has been a painful few days for nepal. this country still wants closure. rajini vaidyanathan, pokhara, bbc news. the retailer says it will open 12 new food hauls as part a £1180 million investment. the bullring in birmingham and the trafford centre in manchester are among the areas to benefit. in manchester are among the areas to benefit. the television presenter and newspaper columnist jeremy clarkson says he has written to the duke and duchess of sussex to apologise over his column in the sun newspaper in which he said he "hated" meghan.

hea he a apologised at the time for the hurt caused. he said he wanted to see her paraded naked through the streets and, thrown at her. people complained to the press regulator and they are investigating. today we have a much more fulsome apology. he said he reached out to the duchess and duke to say sorry, prince harry has suggested the column proved the couple's point about press bigotry, mr clarke son writes he abhors violence against women. he says that amazon and itv were incandescent about what he wrote. he is a popular tv presenter and there is a report in variety that amazon plans to part company with him next year. 0nce in variety that amazon plans to part company with him next year. once the shows that it has commissioned from him have aired. my sources dispute that story but amazon have said it won't comment.—

the italian actress gina lollobrigida, who was one of the biggest stars of european cinema in the 1950s and 60s, has died. she was 95. she became famous as a sultry — and sometimes hot headed — mediterranean sex symbol, and played the female lead in numerous hollywood films opposite — among others — rock hudson, cary grant and humphrey bogart. later in life she became a successful sculptor and photographer. in tennis, britain's cameron norrie and emma raducanu are through to the second round of the australian open. but jack draper is out after losing in 4 sets to rafael nadal. 0ur sports correspondent joe wilson reports. britain's jack draper walked on with famous names alongside him, the most successful men's player ever with him. it's rafael nadal. draper in white is 21. he took the second set 6—2 to level the match. yes, he has made it. but he needed treatment

in the third. he was troubled physically from then on. draper wore a different shade in the fourth set, blue, green. while nadal at times dazzled. oh, wow, what a couple of volleys from rafael nadal. 15 years draper's senior, nadal finished fitter, 6—1 in the fourth. his win went down well. australia's nick kyrgios withdrew from the tournament so they will make the most of nadal while they have him. to emma raducanu, encouraging to see her completing a match and winning it. her ankle seemed 0k in the straight sets victory against tamara korpatsch of germany. raducanu plays coco gauff next. well, after so many injuries, one step at a time. now harriet dart was beaten in straight sets and kyle edmund was also defeated. but cameron norrie didn't get to where he is today by losing to 18—year—olds on debut.

the 11th seed beat france's luca van assche in straight sets. cameron norrie's fine start to 2023 continues. so that is melbourne's first day and night, just the beginning. joe wilson, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's chris fawkes. .it . it has been a bitterly cold feeling day today and we have seen snow across the northern and western areas, however, the story we have been covering hasn't gone away, that story of flooding. we still have 104 flood warnings in force right now. the majority of these are for stretches of the severn and avon but ground water flooding is an issue stretches of the severn and avon but ground waterflooding is an issue in the south. 0vernight tonight snow showers will continue to affect northern and western scotland and the north—west of england and wales with some accumulating snow. but after that very wet spell of weather we have seen, there is a lot of water coming off the field, and as you can imagine, a sharp frost will lead to easy conditions just about

anywhere, the lowest temperatures