Disability row councillor resigns

7:43 pm, Thu 28 Feb 2013

Cornish disability storm councillor quits: full report

A Cornwall Councillor who said disabled children 'cost too much and should be put down' has resigned.

Collin Brewer, an independent, has quit after bowing to mounting pressure. Initially he'd refused to step down.

His decision has been welcomed by Disability Cornwall, the charity the councillor made the remarks to, and the charity MENCAP, although both organisations says he should have left months ago.

Francesca Carpenter reports:

1:59 pm, Thu 28 Feb 2013

"These kind of views are still around" says Mencap

"I was wrong - I admit it" says Collin Brewer

Collin Brewer says he has received messages of support from at least half a dozen councillors who contacted him over his remarks.

They know this is against my character.

I was wrong - I admit it. I will continue to apologise

– Collin Brewer

9:43 am, Thu 28 Feb 2013

Collin Brewer: "this is my first indiscretion..."

This is my first indiscretion - not that there's any excuse for that."

– Collin Brewer

8:30 am, Thu 28 Feb 2013

Cornish disability storm councillor quits

Colin Brewer is said to have resigned Credit: Cornwall Council

A councillor who said disabled children "should be put down" to save taxpayers' money has resigned.

Collin Brewer, an independent councillor from Wadebridge, said his remarks at an equalities event at County Hall in Truro 18 months ago were designed to "provoke a debate".

However, the veteran council member has been met with a storm of criticism from disabled people, their carers and campaigners - including former glamour model Katie Price, whose son Harvey is disabled.

Mr Brewer initially refused to resign yesterday saying his comments were "a flippant remark".

He has reconsidered his position.

10:15 pm, Wed 27 Feb 2013

Calls for Councillor to resign after disabled comments

There are calls for Councillor Collin Brewer to resign after he said that disabled children should be put down.

Read the full story

Full report: Cllr: Put down disabled children

by Francesca Carpenter

A councillor has sparked a national row after saying that disabled children "should be put down". Colin Brewer, an independent councillor from Wadebridge, made the remarks at an equalities event. Mr Brewer says he can't apologise enough, but believes he hasn't done anything wrong.

The Director of childrens' services at Cornwall Council has said "we wish to totally dissociate ourselves with these completely unacceptable views." **Today Mr Brewer told us he's now considering his position.