The rate of deaths attributed to CJD (the human equivalent of mad cow disease) is twice as high in Scotland as in the more affluent SE of England.

Many poorer Scots bought products containing 'mechanically recovered meat' in sausages,burgers and cheap minced beef, 'meat' that is now known to be the main source of BSE contamination.

This practice is now outlawed, but it went for years under the Tory government, who did not accept that the Scottish and English beef herds were infected. One stupid Tory minister even fed his daughter burger in front of the worlds press, saying it was safe.

I hope so.....