RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has called on Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Secretary Margaret Beckett to quit over the mix-up between cows and sheeps brains by scientists investigating BSE.

He has branded the confusion between the two by scientists hired by the government to see whether sheep could contract "mad cow disease" an "appalling shambles".

He said Mrs Beckett's attempts to sneak the announcement out late at night was another example of her being "insensitive and out of touch " and "government spin" trying to deceive the public.

Pendle Labour MP Gordon Prentice has also expressed concern about the mix-up.

Ribble Valley Tory MP Mr Evans said: "Instead of burning the midnight oil in an attempt to hide or cover up the government's embarrassment Mrs Beckett should have ensured that the fiasco over testing should have been given the widest possible airing.

"Reassurance over current and previous tests and an apology to sheep farmers who feared the culling of up to 40 million sheep is much needed.

"Clearly she must have known the impact on an industry that is reeling from foot and mouth.

"There was not a word of regret from Mrs Beckett's lips in her Commons statement this week and our farmers deserve far better than this."