Hindus in Letchmore Heath and beyond showed no signs of loosening tension on the RSPCA this morning, meeting with a Shadow Secretary of State to discuss the killing of their sacred cow.

Peter Ainsworth, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met with the president of Bhaktivedanta Manor, Gauri das and a representative of the Hindu Council of Great Britain to discuss the RSPCA's killing of Belgian Blue, Jersey Cross, Gangotri, in December.

More than 30 Hindu organisations have called for the resignation of RSPCA officer, Timothy Wass, who led the euthanasia operation, also asking for an investigation into the incident and a change in the application of the law regarding the putting down of animals.

Mr Ainsworth gave his support to the campaign, saying "something happened here which should not have happened", speaking after being given an extensive tour of the Manor building and its farm, including the site of Gangotri's death.

For the full story, see Friday's Watford Observer.