The man who triggered a national debate about sterilising benefit spongers has confessed that he does not support such a draconian measure.

John Ward resigned as a Medway Council member because of the furore over comments on his website blog. “I am really pleased this subject is fully out in the public arena,” the 58-year-old said.

“That was always my intention – to get a proper discussion going, to get people’s minds bubbling on the issue. And that is what has happened, better than I could have imagined.”

He added: “I don’t agree with compulsory sterilisation at all - that was never the point of the blog. We’re talking about ‘carrot and stick’ approaches to dealing with issues like the benefits system, and I prefer the carrot way every time.

“I want to see some one tackle this issue kindly and fairly, without resorting to draconian measures.”

Councillor quits to seek next adventure >>>

Although his remarks were described as abhorrent by the Conservatives who suspended him he has received widespread public support. More than 80 per cent of the people who responded to a Kent Online poll supported him.

But despite the support, Mr Ward decided not to stand as an independent councillor. He felt the local authority watchdog, The Standards Board for England, would bar him from doing so due to the complaints made about his blog.

Read the full story in the Medway Messenger on Monday.