While powerless to suspend or force councillors to resign, Cornwall Council has launched a full investigation following the latest storm over comments by councillor who said disabled children should be "put down".

The move follows "numerous complaints from members of the public" over the recent comments attributed to Mr Brewer.

These follow an interview where Mr Brewer, "repeatedly indicated that he believed there was a good argument for killing some disabled babies with high support needs, because of the cost of providing them with services".

A council spokesman said: "In recognition of the concerns which have been expressed, the Council’s Monitoring Officer requested that the complaints be assessed as a matter of urgency in accordance with the Council’s ethical standards regime.

"It has now been formally determined that the case merits a full investigation to decide whether there has been a breach of the Members Code of Conduct and, if so, the nature and extent of that breach.

"That investigation, which will be carried out by a senior lawyer from within the Council’s Corporate Governance Team, will be expedited.

Earlier this week the leaders of the main political parties on the Council issued a joint statement to clarify the position of the authority.

This stated that: “The recently published comments which are attributed to Councillor Brewer are completely unacceptable and are contrary to the Council’s policy of supporting all people with disabilities. Such views have no place in local government. These remarks represent the personal views of Councillor Brewer who does not speak for the Council or the people of Cornwall.”

It is anticipated that Councillor Brewer will not be allocated any seats on Council committees. The authority does not have the legal power to sack a councillor and following the Government’s abolition of Standards for England in 2012 and changes to the Code of Conduct regime the council no longer has the ability to suspend councillors.

Police have confirmed they are also looking into the latest statements attributed to Mr Brewer.

A second protest to call for Mr Brewer's resignation has been planned for County Hall at 10.30am on Friday (May 24).

READ: Police probe into 'put disabled children' down councillor

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