Councillor loses role for children in care remarks

A newly elected councillor who called some children in care "downright evil" has been removed from his committee role, after his party called the comments "clumsy and regrettable".

Reform UK's Andy Osborn made the remark during Cambridgeshire County Council's children and young people committee meeting on Tuesday.

Group leader James Sidlow said he would sit on the panel instead of Osborn after the issue was dealt with internally.

The councillor has been contacted for comment.

"Councillor Osborn's comments were clumsy and regrettable," Sidlow said.

"[They] do not reflect or represent those of our local Reform UK group or those of the national party."

Osborn told the meeting, covered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, that some children in care were "not just naughty children, they can be downright evil".

He said he had heard of cases where youngsters were "smashing cars up", "running away from home" and were "on drugs".

He added: "It is not just a case of somebody being a bad boy or a bad girl, it is a case of they have learnt from their bad parents not to react correctly."

Other councillors and an executive director have highlighted that children who are taken into care have experienced trauma, which could lead to challenging behaviour.

Prior to Osborn's removal, the county council issued a statement in which it said it "reaffirms its commitment to children in care and people with care experience".

Committee chairwoman Edna Murphy said society "too often" did not take the needs of those children into account.

The Liberal Democrat said the local authority took its responsibilities "very seriously", adding: "These children are our children and, like any parent, we want to ensure they get the best services and support."

The meeting was told the council, which is run by the Lib Dems following May's election, had overspent on care placements by £7.5m.

Its executive director for children, education and families, Martin Purbrick, said: "We offer support to all those families who need it.

"Our low rate of children in care compared to many other areas really demonstrates the success of our services."

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