Conservative vice chairman Ben Bradley apologises for suggesting unemployed should get vasectomies

Mansfield MP suggested it wouldn't be long 'before we're drowning in a vast sea of unemployed wasters that we pay to keep!'

Ben Bradley said that if people couldn't afford children they should have vasectomies. (PA)

A Conservative MP promoted in Theresa May's reshuffle has apologised over a blog post suggesting benefit claimants should have vasectomies.

Ben Bradley, who was named as Conservative vice chairman for youth, said people on welfare should stop having children if they could not afford them, before suggesting sterilisation.

The Mansfield MP, 28, was writing in support of the benefits cap and suggested it would not be long "before we're drowning in a vast sea of unemployed wasters".

After the post on the personal blog, consbradders32, was highlighted by BuzzFeed News, it was deleted.

"Sorry but how many children you have is a choice; if you can't afford them, stop having them! Vasectomies are free," it read.

"Families who have never worked a day in their lives having four or five kids and the rest of us having one or two means it's not long before we're drowning in a vast sea of unemployed wasters that we pay to keep!"

Mr Bradley said he had matured since posting the blog in 2012 and was sorry for the comments.

He said: "I apologise for these posts. My time in politics has allowed me to mature and I now realise that this language is not appropriate."

Cat Smith, shadow minister for youth affairs, said: "These repulsive comments expose the Tories' disgraceful attitude to unemployed people.

"That they come from a man Theresa May chose as a vice chair of her party speaks volumes. The nasty party is alive and well."

Press Association