Furious parents of disabled children confronted Cornwall Council representatives this morning at County Hall in the ongoing controversy over Collin Brewer.
Mr Brewer had previously stood down following a massive public backlash over his comment that disabled children "should be put down".
But he was re-elected to Cornwall Council last week in a shock result at the local elections. Parents were due to meet Mr Brewer this morning but Mr Brewer did not attend County Hall today.
Members of the Parent Carer Council confronted other councillors at the entrance to County Hall. One woman said: "He reckons my child should be put down and I think councillor Brewer should be strung up."
A crowd of approximately 80 people had gathered at County Hall to voice their opposition to Mr Brewer being allowed to continue as a councillor.
Bob Egerton, the stand alone Independent member for Probus, Tregony and Grampound, set out the situation facing councillors.
He said: "He was not disqualified from standing again. The people of Wadebridge East voted him in - that is democracy."
Mr Egerton added: "It's not for us then to look at our fellow members and say you don't deserve to be here."
Following this morning's protest a statement was issued by The Parent Carer Council for Cornwall, Disability Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cornwall People First, National Autistic Society West Cornwall Branch and Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support Group.
The statement said: "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and the 80 people who turned out at County Hall today to join our peaceful protest. We also thank the leaders of the Council's political parties who came out to speak to protesters and share their own concerns with us.
"Unfortunately, despite Cornwall Council's efforts to set up a meeting between the Parent Carer Council, Disability Cornwall and Cllr Brewer, it did not go ahead due to the fact he has been 'signed off sick'. We look forward to rescheduling this meeting at the earliest opportunity.
"Since Cllr Brewer's re-election to Wadebridge East, we have heard from many people in that area who are mortified by this result. We believe and many people have told us, Brewer is not representative of Wadebridge or of Cornwall. His comment was not made as a 'Cornish Joke', to 'provoke debate' or as a 'wind up' and despite his protestations that he has 'done nothing wrong'; he is now just adding insult to injury. This man has caused immense upset and distress to many good citizens in Cornwall and across the world.
"Brewers' triumphant statement upon his re-election; "The media has actually done me the power of good – they have promoted me and I'm well known" confirms what we already knew, that he has no remorse or understanding of the hurt he has caused and he is not fit to hold public office.
"His re-election sends entirely the wrong message to the people of Cornwall at a time when disabled people are experiencing increasing intolerance and abuse in their communities.
"We have no option but to accept the democratic process however flawed it may seem in this case, but we ask again that Cllr Brewer re-consider his position and find alternative ways to make a contribution to his community. Let's not forget, if the complaints process itself was fit for purpose in the first place, and a more appropriate sanction applied, Collin Brewer would probably never have had the chance to stand for re-election.
"It is clear we need to work together harder than ever to create a culture of zero tolerance to ignorance and hatred in all its forms, so everyone in Cornwall is able to fulfil their potential and to live full and active lives as equal and respected members in their communities."
