Cornwall disabled row councillor Collin Brewer dies Published duration 9 June 2014

image caption A colleague said Collin Brewer should be remembered for the positive work he carried out as a councillor

A former councillor who said disabled children should be "put down" has died.

Collin Brewer made the comments in 2011 and stood down from Cornwall Council in February 2013. He was then re-elected in May 2013, before resigning for a second time in July.

Mr Brewer, who was in his late 60s, was an independent councillor for Wadebridge East.

A colleague said he should be remembered for the positive work he had carried out for more than 25 years.

'Highly regarded'

Jeremy Rowe, Liberal Democrat councillor for St Issey and St Tudy, said: "A lot of people will remember Collin because of what happened in the past year, but remember him for the 27 years of good hard work he put in for his area.

"He was highly regarded in Wadebridge and the surrounding area."

Tony Rush, the mayor of Wadebridge, said: "I have known Collin for more years than I care to remember and found him to always be available to help or to do whatever he could for the good of the people in the area that he served as a councillor.

"For Collin to be taken so soon after retiring from public office is a shock to all concerned."

In 2011, Mr Brewer told a charity worker "disabled children cost the council too much money and should be put down".

He apologised after those comments were raised in February 2013 and resigned. He said his remarks had been intended to stir up debate.

The cause of the former councillor's death is not yet known.