Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock wants people to stop using Herbal Essences after animal rights campaigners say it was tested on pregnant rats.

The Lib Dem has now put a motion before the House of Commons asking fellow MPs to support a boycott.
Already 106 MPs have signed up in support of the move.

In the motion Mr Hancock said it was 'morally unacceptable', adding: 'There is no reason these sickening tests should be carried out on animals.'

Procter & Gamble, the company which produces Herbal Essences, carried out a study into Butylparaben – a chemical preservative used in the shampoo – in 2004.

It was at the request of European regulators after fears were raised about the effect of Butylparaben on reproductive systems.

The company today confirmed the chemical was tested on animals, but didn't say whether they were pregnant rats. Procter & Gamble says differing forms of Butylparaben are one of the most commonly used preservatives in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

It said it was carrying out tests to ensure the chemical could be used safely in thousands of products in the future, and was not specifically testing Herbal Essences.

Spokeswoman Marina Barker said: 'This test was conducted and published on behalf of the entire industry at the request of European regulators.

'P&G utilise non-animal methods for our evaluations of cosmetics and we have been able to eliminate animal testing of our cosmetic products years before it became legally binding. 'This stands true for Herbal Essences.

'In fact, P&G is a global leader in supporting alternatives to animal research.'

But Mr Hancock, who is backing the campaign by animal rights group, Uncaged, said: 'If there are concerns about an ingredient of the product then it should be pulled from the shelves – not tested on animals.

'There is absolutely no excuse for causing animals pain and suffering in this way.'