Disabled children too costly, should be ‘put down’: UK councillor

Disabled children place too great a burden on the country’s nationalized health care and other services and ought to be “put down” to save money, an independent councillor for Wadebridge East in North Cornwall has said. The comments, made to a member of the Disability Cornwall charity at County Hall in Truro in 2011, have cost Collin Brewer his position. He announced yesterday that he will resign.

At an event organized to help councillors meet and speak with various charities, Brewer approached a stall run by Disability Cornwall. When told about the work of the charity, he responded, “Disabled children cost the council too much money and should be put down.”

Brewer said the remarks were designed to “provoke a debate” and has apologized. “I was wrong, I admit it,” he told the BBC. “I will continue to apologize.” Since making the comments, Brewer has been under pressure from charities for the disabled and caregiver groups to resign, but had refused until now, saying that it had been nothing but a “flippant remark.”