Wadebridge East 'put disabled down' ex-councillor to re-stand

Councillor Collin Brewer will face election on 2 May

A councillor who quit after saying disabled children should be "put down", is standing for re-election.

Collin Brewer, 68, has submitted nomination papers to stand as an independent candidate for Cornwall Council's Wadebridge East ward.

He resigned as an independent for the same seat amid controversy over his remarks.

Mr Brewer said the move was a "response from people" in the ward where elections take place on 2 May.

He made comments to a Disability Cornwall member at a stall at County Hall in Truro in 2011 that disabled children should be put down because they cost the authority too much money.

The comments came to light following a report by the council's standards committee after the charity made a formal complaint.

'Good record'

Mr Brewer faced strong criticism and he apologised to the charity, resigned as a councillor in February and said it was unlikely he would be a candidate in the May elections.

He has now confirmed that he will re-stand, saying he had a "good record" of service as a district, county and Cornwall councillor stretching back more than a quarter of a century.

Nominations close at 12:00 BST for the elections to Cornwall Council.

Steve Paget of Disability Cornwall said: "I am surprised, he had his shot and he went too far.

"It will now be up to the electorate to decide whether, despite his abhorrent comments, he should be re-elected."

The candidates for the Wadebridge East ward are: Brian Bennetts (Conservative), Collin Brewer (Independent), Roderick Harrison (UKIP), Adrian Jones (Labour), Steve Knightley (Liberal Democrat), Sarah Maguire (Independent).