A Tory councillor who became embroiled in controversy after suggesting parents on benefits should be compulsorily sterilised resigned yesterday.

John Ward was suspended from Medway Council's Conservative Group after controversial comments made on his personal website sparked outrage.

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

He also cited the mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who has had seven children by five fathers, as an example of "Breakdown Britain".

Speaking yesterday just before he quit, 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."

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

He said: "Councillor Ward has been suspended forth-with from the Conservative Group pending consideration of this matter by the full group at its earliest opportunity."

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