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Probe launches into councillors’ ‘disgusting’ comments about SEND children

2 mins read Education Children's Services
Warwickshire County Council is carrying out an investigation into three of its councillors after “a number of complaints” were received over derogatory comments they made about children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Councillors Brian Hammersley (L) and Jeff Morgan (R) spoke during an SEND discussion in January. Picture: Warwickshire Council webcast
Councillors Brian Hammersley (L) and Jeff Morgan (R) spoke during an SEND discussion in January. Picture: Warwickshire Council webcast

The probe focuses on members of the ruling Conservative group whose comments “caused significant offence, distress and upset” to children with SEND and their families, the local authority has confirmed.

All three were speaking at a meeting of the children and young people overview and scrutiny committee at the end of January.

Jeff Morgan is among those under investigation after he questioned whether children receiving SEND funding were “just really badly behaved” and are in “need of some form of strict correction”.

Another involved, Brian Hammersley, suggested “something in the water” was causing an increase in children receiving SEND support.

Meanwhile, the third councillor involved, Clare Golby, asked if the increase in SEND cases was linked to “a rise in social media use”.

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