INDEPENDENT and Conservative councillors who refused to endorse a councillor as a scrutiny committee chairman after he declared a disability, have hit back after being condemned for the "shameful" move.

At last Thursdays, May 17, meeting Cllr Peter Roberts had been endorsed by his fellow Liberal Democrats as chairman of the Learning, Skills and Economy Scrutiny Committee.

Before he lost the vote, Cllr Roberts, who represents Llandrindod South, revealed that he has been diagnosed as having "high functioning" Autism and "Aspergers" Syndrome.

This was due to rumours councillors were unhappy with his attendance levels at meetings.

Today (Tuesday, May 22) Council Leader,Cllr Rosemarie Harris, has made it clear that she feels that the vote against Cllr Roberts was justified.

Cllr Harris, said: "There is little doubt that it took courage for Cllr Peter Roberts to share his condition with the rest of Council."

“However, despite the personal statement by Cllr Roberts councillors did not support that he should continue as Chair of a key Scrutiny Committee because of concerns about his overall attendance record, and not because of the statement he made at Council.

“The attendance of councillors is a matter of public record and this can be found on our website.

“The Council is committed to assisting elected members so that they fulfil their role and ensure they carry out their duties to the best of their ability and serve the people of Powys.

“The matter of the election of Chair now rests with the Scrutiny Committee.

"Whatever the outcome, the Council will wish to see effective scrutiny to support our continuing improvement journey.”

Over the weekend, Conservative County Councillor, Iain Mcintosh who represents Yscir also revealed that he had high functioning Aspergers Syndrome.

He said:"I would have rather announced it under different circumstances.

“Having Asperger’s syndrome in no way justifies not turning up to so many committee meetings.

"My attendance record is currently 100% and if I need to see my doctor or make any other appointments I make sure I fit them in with my council commitments.

“In a paid role it is simply unacceptable for Cllr Pete Roberts not to do the same, particularly in a role that is supposed to be overseeing the way vital services such as children’s and adult services is run.

"I am very angered and appalled at the way the Lib Dem group has deceived the public by making them think Councillor Roberts was removed because of his condition."

Liberal Democrat Group leader, Cllr James Gibson-Watt, said that the attendance problems had taken place, as Cllr Roberts was coming to terms with the disability.

Cllr Roberts, said:“The ruling group threw the council’s equalities agenda out of the window.

"They had an opportunity to demonstrate that commitment by supporting a committee chair with a known disability and in so doing send a clear message that being disabled is OK in public life.

"Instead they chose short term political opportunism and overt discrimination."

According to figures on Council attendance on the Council's website, from June 5, 2017, Cllr Roberts has attended 33 out of a possible 69 meetings.

In the same period Cllr McIntosh has attended 31 out of a possible 32 meetings.