Letter: BSE culprits

Sir: At the same time that the Scottish butcher named in the E coli outbreak is prosecuted for "culpable and reckless negligence" (report, 11 January), the British government stands accused by a European Parliament draft report of conspiracy and negligence over the BSE issue ("Britain accused of blackmail on BSE", 10 January).

Since the number of New Variant CJD cases is likely far to exceed the E coli deaths, may we please know who is to be prosecuted?

M TREADWELL

Stockbridge

Hampshire