Penzance mum slams Cornwall councillor in disabled children row

The Penzance mother of a disabled child has hit out at a Cornwall councillor who said that children like her daughter "should be put down" because they cost too much.

Lisa Nicholls, whose daughter Savannah battles a number of health issues, said that the councillor for Wadebridge East, Collin Brewer should be forced to step down.

"It (his comments) have basically just ripped out the heart of every parent with a disabled child," she said.

Mr Brewer made comments to a members of a Hayle-based disability charity's staff at County Hall in 2011.

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Disability Cornwall advice services manager Theresa Court was manning an information stand at an event to allow councillors to meet equalities organisations.

Mr Brewer approached the stand and was told how the group helps parents of children with special educational needs.

He responded by saying: "Disabled children cost the council too much money and should be put down."

Mr Brewer has since apologised but has refused to resign.

Mum Lisa said she felt absolutely "anguished and disgusted" that a councillor would have this opinion and voice it.

"It really hurts," she said.

"It is like an extra love when you have a child like this because you see them suffer so much.

"His words and his opinion should be a crime."

Brave little Savannah recently celebrated her seventh birthday and six years of being cancer free.

The youngster was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was a baby and has since battled a number of health issues including epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

Beating the odds and learning to walk and eat, Savannah is yet to start speaking.

Since This is Cornwall broke the story yesterday afternoon, Mr Brewer has been widely condemned for the comments and has been kicked out of his political group at County Hall.

In a poll on This is Cornwall, 96 per cent of the nearly 600 people who have voted so far have said that the councillor should resign.