Support for chemical castration

New York: A Republican governor hotly tipped as a presidential running mate for John McCain has backed legislation forcing convicted rapists in his state to undergo chemical castration.

Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, said sex offenders were "monsters" and described as "atrocious" a Supreme Court ruling on Thursday that his state cannot execute people who rape children.

Jindal, 36, has been seen as a strong candidate to run with Mr McCain. Supporters have said he would bring youth and a strong reformist track record to the ageing Arizona senator's campaign.

- The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2008