'Put down disabled' man apologises

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

Collin Brewer, an independent Cornwall councillor, made the remarks at an equalities event at County Hall.

The veteran councillor was talking to Theresa Court, advice services manager with Disability Cornwall, in October 2011, when his comments caused her to make a formal complaint against him. That complaint has only recently been resolved.

Mr 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."

Disability Cornwall has led the calls for Mr Brewer's resignation. Mrs Court 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."

A spokesman for disabled charity Scope described Mr 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."