The Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, has issued a personal statement in response to ‘Gollygate’, accusing political opponents of ‘doctoring’ a photograph and some local press sensationalising the story. As she looks to draw a line under the matter, Lora has confirmed she won’t be resigning.
Over the past 2 weeks, Lora has been the subject of local and national news stories after a photograph emerged showing a number of Golly dolls in the background of a photo alleged to have been taken inside her home.
The Council Leader says she has been persecuted publicly by those doing so ‘for their own ends’, pursuing political ambitions or personal motives, with absolutely no care about her mental or physical wellbeing. She has had to report matters to the Police and has been handed a personal alarm.
Now, in response to the situation, Lora has issued a personal statement – and won’t be commenting any further on the matter. She has also confirmed that she won’t be resigning from her role at the helm of the local authority.
In a statement shared with some of the local media, including Island Echo, Lora has said, in her own unedited words:
“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.
Article continues below this advertisement “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.
“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.
“Other than two hate-filled emails passed to the police, I have been overwhelmed by the understanding, support and love Islanders have shown me. 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.”
Well said Lora and let’s hope this will be the end of it.
let’s hope this is the end of it Lora
Can we draw a line under this now and let the Council get back to their normal business of ignoring what the public want, allowing houses to be built anywhere and everywhere and paying stupid sums of public money for information signs about the chain ferry and new websites?
Stay strong Lora, the good people of the Island are behind you. My motto in life is “what goes round comes round” your persecutors will get their just deserts in time.
For once, I see that the “perpetually offended on the behalf of others group” and the “capitalise on any situation group” have failed miserably in their campaign against Lora.
Whilst I do not particularly agree with some of her policies etc and will challenge them, which is a normal part of a functioning democracy, each person, irrespective of what job they do, has the right to freedom of choice and should not be harassed, belittled, bullied or coerced into a course of action, that would not be in their own personal, best interests.
Good, it is only the true racists who fake offence over a picture of some old golly toys. go and sort out your twisted minds.
Are you referring to the leader of the conservative group ” CLLR ROBERTSON “. I think that he should resign with immediate effect !
talk about shooting the messenger…..
was it his house, no, did he take the photo, no, did he ask her if it was her house, yes, did he ask her if she knew it might be offensive, yes.
whereas she has wriggled and procrastinated for months, and no, the best she can do is claim it was an ‘old photo’.
C’mon, I was someone with integrity to lead our council. Sadly, she has shown little of that, so in my eyes, she is tainted, unable to understand the outcome of her words and her actions.
It also seemed Councillor Brodie was stoking the fire.
Are there not more important things happening in the iow / and the world.
Golly gate for goodness sake get a grip, most children had one they collected stickers from jam jars … .
Doesn’t make you racist…
Although I am not the biggest fan of our Council, this really needs putting to bed .
You are right, having these dolls does not make you a racist, but being a politician, allowing such images to appear on your Facebook page and not even feel the need to apologise suggests that you have not been paying attention to changing social values in the past 20 years.
I have been listening to your brainwashed generation for the past 20 years ( no blooming choice ) !
I just disagree with 99% of what you say and what you stand for.
I will apologize for slavery,
When you apologize for Lenny Henry.
why isn,t marmalade called orange jam
how does a thermos know whether to keep it or keep it cold
surely these are more worth debating rather than
wasting my council my council tax money on
rather then spend it on toys they most of us had
back in the 70,s when we were children
and if bubble bath comes in different colours
why is the foam always white
Yes, your right, and why do American kids just drop there bikes on to the ground, without leaning them against a fence ?
And why do American motel’s only have one channel that only plays old black and white horror films ?
It’s 2022 in this Woke world, best to keep such items out of view if you own them.
Hooray for Golly’s everywhere. They’ve done more for good race relations than all the patronising do-gooders. I still have mine, and a teddy as well.
Are we still allowed to collect Russian dolls or is that a complete no no now ?