Disability row councillor resigns

Cornwall Council has confirmed it has received a formal letter of resignation from the councillor who said disabled children should be ''put down'' to save money.

Collin Brewer made the remark in 2011. He resigned voluntarily earlier this year but was re-elected to the Wadebridge East ward in May.

After the comments were published, the council received 180 complaints and a campaign was launched to force him to resign, but the council said it did not have the power to remove Mr Brewer from his seat.

Disgraced Cornwall councillor Collin Brewer has told ITV News West Country that he has resigned. Mr Brewer had said that disabled children should be put down. Tonight one group representing disabled people told us that while it welcomed Mr Brewer's decision, he should have gone much earlier.

Disability row councillor Collin Brewer has confirmed to ITV News West Country that he has sent in his resignation letter to Cornwall Council.

Mr Brewer caused controversy when he said disabled children should be 'put down'. He resigned voluntarily earlier this year but was re-elected to the Wadebridge East ward in May.

A Cornwall councillor who said disabled children should be put down has been found in breach of the council's code of conduct, but he can't be legally removed.

Collin Brewer made the remark in 2011. He resigned voluntarily earlier this year but was re-elected to the Wadebridge East ward in May.

Cornwall Council said it does not have the power to sack councillors, although it could previously suspend them following the investigation and determination of code of conduct complaints.

However, government changes to the code of conduct complaints process means this sanction can no longer be used.

The council is meeting today in a bid to get these powers restored.

The new chairman of Cornwall Council has called on fellow councillor Collin Brewer to resign over controversial remarks he made about disabled children.

Today dozens of people gathered outside County Hall in Truro to protest over his comments.

The council is investigating the matter, but doesn't have the power to sack Mr Brewer.

Devon and Cornwall Police are also involved.

Our Cornwall correspondent Steve Hardy reports:

Cllr John Wood, the new chairman of Cornwall Council, speaks to reporters about the authority's investigation into comments made by Cllr Collin Brewer.

Scores of people have been protesting at County Hall in Truro, calling for Cornwall councillor, Collin Brewer to resign. Councillor Brewer had previously stepped down after his comments that disabled children should be put down to save the council money.

He was re-elected this month as an independent candidate for Wadebridge East and has since said that there is a good argument for killing some disabled babies. Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating the matter. Protest organiser James Ball gives his reaction in this video.

Disabled groups will be demonstrating today (Friday 24 May) outside County Hall in Truro calling for the Cornwall councillor Colin Brewer to resign.

Mr Brewer has previously stepped down after making comments that disabled children should be put down to save the council money. He was re-elected in May as an independent candidate for Wadebridge East.

The leaders of the majority of the parties on Cornwall Council have issued a joint statement distancing themselves from Cllr Brewer's comments:

• Jeremy Rowe, leader of the Liberal Democrat group
• John Wood, leader of the Independent group
• Fiona Ferguson, leader of the Conservative group
• Malcolm Moyle, leader of the Labour group
• Stephanie McWilliam, Leader of UKIP group
• Dick Cole, leader of Mebyon Kernow