West Country (W) Disability News

A spokesman for disabled charity Scope described Cllr Collin Brewer's outburst as "outrageous".

He said:

Comments such as this have absolutely no place in modern society and should be consigned to the history books.

To hear such an ill-judged and insensitive statement from a councillor is deeply disturbing and demonstrates that they are clearly not fit for office.

Sadly hostility such as this is not uncommon for many disabled people and it is thoughtless comments like this that make it even harder for them to overcome the multiple barriers they face and live their lives just like everyone else.

• UK
• Cornwall
• Disability

Disability Cornwall today led the calls for Mr Brewer's resignation.

Theresa Court, advice services manager, said:

I remember him (Mr Brewer) coming over and asking what the stall was about.

I was explaining to him about the parent partnership service when he said disabled children should be put down.

He said they cost the council too much money.

I felt physically sick. I was there with parents of disabled children at the time and I just had to turn my back on him.

He is supposed to be an elected member representing public views and acting on behalf of the public.

How anyone can come out with that is just shocking.

• UK
• Cornwall
• Disability

A councillor who said disabled children "should be put down" to save money has apologised - but refused to resign, claiming he "did nothing wrong".

Collin Brewer has complied with standards board orders to apologise but says he has no intention of resigning.

He told the BBC:

Clearly it has gone to the standards board to provide any penalty whatsoever and the penalty they imposed was to write a letter of apology.

I have no intention of resigning. I don't think I have done anything wrong. I have apologised.

I have been a councillor for nearly 26 years. I have always worked to the best of my ability.

• UK
• Cornwall
• Disability

Pupils from the Royal Deaf Academy in Exeter have been meeting their rugby heroes.

They watched the Exeter Chiefs in training and even taught the sportsmen a thing or two. Andrea Bishop has more.

• Education
• Exeter Chiefs
• Exeter Deaf Academy

Pupils from the Exeter Deaf Academy have been meeting their rugby heroes at Sandy Park. They watched the Exeter Chiefs in training after their school was selected as a local law firm's charity of the year.

They were given a tour of the stadium and a chance for some autograph-hunting with the stars.

• Education
• Exeter Chiefs
• Exeter Deaf Academy

• Sport
• Exeter Chiefs
• Exeter Deaf Academy

Fistral Beach in Newquay has hosted the first contest in the UK for surfers with learning disabilities. And despite the choppy conditions, the day proved a great success. Our Cornwall correspondent Steve Hardy reports.

• UK
• surfing
• disability

The UK's first surf competition for people with learning disabilities is taking place in Newquay. Around 80 contestants are expected for the event at Fistral beach. Surfers will take to the water to show their skills to a panel of professional judges from Surfing GB.

• UK
• surfing
• disability

Ben McBean from Plymouth lost a leg and an arm in Afghanistan. He could lose his weekly allowance and says he can only get about in constant pain on an artificial limb he had to buy himself. Eli-Louise Wringe has the story.

• Health
• McBean
• Disability

Maria Miller MP, Minister for Disabled People, says it is important that people who no longer need help have their benefits stopped

• Health
• Miller
• Disability