"The dolls are not in my home and haven't been for years" — the under-fire Isle of Wight Council leader has finally broken her silence over allegations she owns a collection of offensive golly dolls.
Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox has said she is "truly sorry" if the issue has caused offense and claims an image, purporting to show the dolls, has been "doctored" for political gain.
She claims, other than "two hate-filled emails", she has received "no genuine communications" from anyone saying they were offended. She told Isle of Wight Radio she "loathes racism and other forms of discrimination from the pit of my stomach".
The image supposedly posted on Cllr Peacey-Wilcox's Facebook page.
Cllr Peacey-Wilcox has so far fought off calls for her to resign. In recent weeks, she has been under immense pressure to quit over an image she is said to have posted on her Facebook page.
In a lengthy statement, she said the image is, in fact, an old photo which was re-posted in November.
She said:
"The principles I live by have always extended to my professional life; even more so during my time as a councillor. I have always taken pride in being understanding, empathetic, patient, courteous and professional. I am truly sorry if this issue has caused people to feel otherwise.
"I loathe racism and other forms of discrimination from the pit of my stomach. People who know me personally know the range of ethnicities, disabilities and other diversities in my close family.
"Those who have attacked me so publicly, seeking political advantage, have not at any time considered any ethnicity issues that may affect me. It was clearly never my intention to offend anybody and to this day, I have received no genuine communications from anyone saying they were offended.
"The image was taken a long time ago; the dolls are not in my home and haven't been for years. It was re-posted in November in a private Facebook message about the impact of fireworks on pets. However, political opponents got hold of it and doctored it and a sensationalised story appeared locally two weeks ago, and this week in the national press."
Saying 'nothing'
Just last week the council leader refused to be drawn on allegations in a heated Isle of Wight Council meeting.
She said she stayed quiet because she feared she would be "misrepresented".
Her statement continued:
"From the outset I feared this would be used to incite racial hatred and launch personal attacks on me and those I love. Sadly, this proved to be correct. I was advised that anything I might say could be misrepresented and so I said nothing. Some people think that was the wrong decision, but like you, I am human and don’t always get everything right.
"If my accusers believed I had broken the Councillor’s Code of Conduct, they could have complained to the Monitoring Officer. If I had broken the law, they could have reported it to the police. Neither was done. Instead, they used complicit media outlets, anonymous accounts and false names on websites to subject me to bitter and hostile attacks."
Police involvement and community support
Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed it is investing reports of a 'hate incident'.
Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said police have already confirmed they are supplying her with a personal alarm.
"Ironically, I have had to involve the police, due to harassment and personal attacks by those who fed their version of the story to the media. The police have supplied me with a personal alarm to carry at all times. I am grateful to them.
"Those who have persecuted me publicly have done so for their own ends, pursuing political ambitions or personal motives. They have been determined to publicise the issue as widely as possible, desperately seeking to damage me. They have shown absolutely no care about my mental or physical wellbeing, or that of my family. My family’s right to respect for our private lives has been ignored."
The council leader claims she has had more than 600 letters of support.
"Other than two hate-filled emails passed to the police, I have been overwhelmed by the understanding, support and love Islanders have shown me", she said.
"Over 600 have contacted me, many imploring me not to resign. I will never forget their kindness and compassion and I will not let them down.
"It is my belief that we must be mindful of world issues, and those closer to home. Using mutual respect and understanding as the backbone to achieving the aims of this Council, I am getting on with the job I was elected to do for the betterment of the Island.
"I will be making no further comment about this issue."
What have opposition parties said?
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio last week, Joe Robertson, Isle of Wight Conservative leader, said:
"The photos appear to show offensive content posted from the Council Leader's social media account. The dolls on display are widely regarded to be racist.
"The Leader needs to come clean and fully explain the content and context of the photos and I urge her cabinet and Alliance colleagues to ensure she does so. If the Leader continues to hide behind a denial without a proper explanation, I do not see how she can continue as leader of a modern local authority with responsibility to all residents regardless of ethnic background."
While at last week's heated council meeting, he said:
“[In your leader’s report] you did not say a single thing about ethnic diversity, racial equality and the importance of ethnic minorities to you, this Island, this council and the country.
“Yesterday a friend of yours put on Facebook you had a collection of golly dolls for ‘as long as they can remember’. As leader of the council, please explain whether those dolls were in your home in November … Silence is not an acceptable answer.”
Cllr Geoff Brodie, chair of the Isle of Wight Council, has also demanded answers. At last week's meeting he said Cllr Peacey-Wilcox should be providing answers to the picture.
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