Paul McCartney stunned by horse meat scandal

Staunch vegetarian Sir Paul McCartney has urged the government to tighten regulations to protect consumers over the horse meat crisis which is gripping the food industry.

A public outcry was sparked last month when tests revealed horse meat had been found in beef products sold in supermarkets. Many of the items have been removed from sale and further testing is being carried out to identify other possible sources of contaminated meat.

The scandal snowballed this month when it emerged horse meat had also found its way into lamb dishes, and a range of beef meatballs were suspected of containing pork.

Prime Minister David Cameron this week vowed to ensure anyone found to have broken regulations governing meat processing will be severely punished, and now animal-loving vegetation McCartney has waded into the debate.

The Beatles star, whose late wife Linda launched a successful vegetarian food line, insists politicians need to completely revamp food guidelines to make sure consumers are not duped into eating unsavoury processed meats.

He tells The Guardian, "It is scandalous - even if it's no big surprise. I don't like to preach, but I think I was right 30 years ago to change my eating habits (and become vegetarian). I don't think the industry will be able to regulate itself. When there's this sort of thing going on, like with the banking scandal, you do hope there'll be some regulations, so people can believe what they're told."