UK news in brief: Rooney Snr in vow to clear name after arrest

WAYNE Rooney’s father has vowed to clear his name after being arrested on suspicion of being involved in a football betting scam.

Mr Rooney’s solicitor said his client “vigorously” denied the charges and was “co-operating fully” with the police investigation. Wayne Rooney Snr, 48, was bailed last night.

Longer term for drivers

DANGEROUS drivers who cause serious injuries could be jailed for up to five years under new plans, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said today.

The introduction of a new offence of “causing serious injury by dangerous driving” would more than double the current maximum sentence of two years.

Fox orders inquiry into claims over Werritty role

DEFENCE Secretary Liam Fox has ordered an investigation into continuing claims surrounding the role of a controversial friend and self-styled adviser.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Dr Fox had asked a top official to look into what he describes as “baseless allegations” concerning Adam Werritty. Dr Fox has been accused of putting national security at risk by allowing Mr Werritty access to the MoD, even though he is not employed by the government.

Heat brings rare moths

THE recent heatwave has seen hundreds of rare moths arriving in the UK, in what experts are describing as the best migration for the insects in years.

A variety of species, many of which are usually found in the Mediterranean, have turned up in the UK and Ireland, Butterfly Conservation said.

The rare flame brocade moth has been seen in its highest numbers for 130 years.

Reeves tipped for top job

RISING Labour star Rachel Reeves was tipped for a top job as Ed Miliband reshuffled his shadow cabinet today. For the first time, the Labour leader has a completely free hand following a rule change which means the shadow cabinet is no longer elected by the party’s MPs.

Herefordshire: Detectives were today holding a man on suspicion of attempted murder following the shooting of a suspected burglar. The man, in his 60s, is also being quizzed on suspicion of cultivating controlled drugs after a cannabis farm was discovered during a police search of a house in Whitbourne.

Lancashire: A pensioner whose body may have been in a peat bog for three weeks was an acclaimed fell runner. Bill Smith, 75, of Liverpool, who fell in the bog in Saddle Fell and became trapped, had been a runner for nearly 40 years and wrote books about the sport.