Surrey’s leader has been called on to dismiss a councillor from its health committee after he promoted what has been labelled “medical apartheid” in the county.

Health campaign group Save Our Surrey Community Hospitals (SOSCH) called for Councillor John Butcher’s immediate dismissal from the county council’s health scrutiny committee after an email containing his views on the NHS was leaked to this paper.

The email said those who drink, smoke, take drugs or are obese, should be told to shape up, ship out of Surrey or endure a slower healthcare service.

It suggested doing so would drive the “self-inflicted” out of Surrey, one effect of which would be to drive up house prices.

A SOSCH spokesman said: “A debate about reducing the costs of the NHS is entirely legitimate, but it is simply not legitimate to promote a form of medical cleansing.

“We need an intelligent debate based on a real understanding of where the major costs to the NHS exist, with practical and identifiable suggestions within the ethical context of an NHS that must continue to provide accessible and equal treatment to all, not only free at the point of delivery, but without discrimination or bias and based on need.

“The health scrutiny committee could make a significant contribution to this debate but it will have no credibility if those who sit on the committee express views like those of Coun Butcher.”

Fiona White, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats at County Hall, wrote to the health committee’s chairman and said: “I would ask your committee to investigate whether the email would have the effect of bringing Surrey County Council into disrepute and whether it contravenes the equality and diversity policies of the council which all councillors are required to observe.”

In an email to the council’s leader Councillor David Hodge, Elmbridge councillor Karen Randolph, SOSCH chairman, said Coun Butcher’s position had become blatantly untenable.

She said: “It is very clear that there are widespread grave concerns about Coun Butcher’s continued suitability in any capacity as a councillor.”