TWO of Eastleigh's leading political figures have added their voices to criticisms of the former government, made in the inquiry report on BSE.

Lib Dem MP David Chidgey and Labour's election hopeful Sam Jaffa have found common ground in the report by Lord Justice Phillips.

The report, released last week, accused politicians and civil servants under the Tory government, of failing to heed scientists' warnings about the threat of BSE.

Mr Jaffa, parliamentary spokesman for Eastleigh Labour Party, said: "The BSE inquiry clearly shows the triumph of vested interests over objectivity in the last Conservative government. Our present government must make sure it never happens again."

Mr Chidgey said: "The report exposes a sorry saga of complacency, incompetence and complicity."