Tory councillor who suggested parents on benefits should be sterilised is forced to quit

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A Tory councillor who suggested that parents on benefits should be sterilised has resigned.

John Ward was suspended from the Conservative group on Medway Council in Kent over comments he made on his personal website.

In the blog, which has now been removed, Mr Ward attacked those who "breed for greed".

He cited a woman who has had seven children by five fathers as an example of Breakdown Britain.

Just before he stood down yesterday Mr Ward, 58, admitted his comments had been "unfortunately worded".

He claimed he had been interrupted while writing by a "pushy cold caller" who had left him in a foul mood.

He said: "The idea was to stimulate a debate looking into ways of tackling the situation without anything as drastic as that.

"It obviously didn't work out right.

"I've had a couple of complaints from people who've been offended by it. I apologise if it has caused offence."

After the blog appeared, Medway Liberal Democrat leader Geoff Juby urged Mr Ward to move to China which has a one-child-family policy.

Mr Juby said: "I don't know what planet he is living on.

"He is talking about sterilising people on benefits but most people are on them for good reason and because they have no choice."

In a statement yesterday, Rodney Chambers, Medway Council's Tory leader, labelled the comments "deplorable".

He said: "As leader of the Conservative Group I have always stated that I expect all members to demonstrate and uphold the highest standards in public office and in public life.

"Councillor Ward has been suspended forthwith from the Conservative Group pending consideration of this matter by the full group at its earliest opportunity."

Mr Ward has now updated his blog, referring to himself as a former councillor and confirmed he had quit after eight years.

A Conservative Central Office spokesman said: "These remarks are abhorrent and the Conservative Party dissociates itself from them."