Questions have been raised over the conduct of Ryde Mayor Karen Lucioni after she was pictured wearing the town’s Mayoral chain while drinking in a Wetherspoons pub.
A formal complaint has been submitted this week following the incident at Fowlers & Co in Ryde last Saturday afternoon.
It was after attending a fundraising event around the corner at Network Ryde, where she had officially represented Ryde Town Council, that Cllr Lucioni arrived at the Wetherspoons pub.
A witness has told Island Echo that Cllr Lucioni, who was enjoying an alcoholic drink, was encouraged by her friends in the pub to “get it out, get it out”, referring to the Mayoral chain.
It’s said that Cllr Lucioni removed the Ryde Town Council-owned regalia – insured for nearly £2,500 – from her handbag and waved it around before being encouraged to put it on. She then placed the chain around her neck, where it remained long enough to be seen by others in the pub and for a photograph to be taken.
Island Echo has this week asked Cllr Lucioni whether she considers it appropriate to wear the chain while drinking in a pub and whether doing so could reflect negatively upon the office of Mayor of Ryde.
Ryde Town Council has also been approached over the incident but did not answer whether it considers it appropriate for the Mayor to wear the Mayoral chain in a public house while consuming alcohol. It was also asked whether it has any concerns that such conduct could bring the office of Mayor, or Ryde Town Council itself, into disrepute.
The Council did, however, confirm there are no specific rules or policies governing where and when the Mayoral chain may be worn, with the chain entrusted to the Mayor for safekeeping.
Ryde Town Council’s own Code of Conduct states that it can apply where a councillor’s actions would give a reasonable member of the public, knowing all the facts, the impression they were acting as a councillor. It also states that councillors must not bring their role or local authority into disrepute.
The Code says councillors must not misuse council resources and must follow the authority’s requirements when using them. However, it does not specifically prohibit civic regalia from being worn in a public house.
The matter comes amid separate questions over a social media post previously published from Cllr Lucioni’s Facebook account, which was subsequently deleted.
Island Echo was alerted to the post on 14th August after concerns were raised about its coherence.
One person commenting publicly on the post asked: “Are you ok Karen?”
The content of the Facebook post, added to a public group for Ryde residents, related to wildfires.
Cllr Lucioni is the Vice Chair of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority, a senior leadership position within the body responsible for the governance and strategic oversight of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.
When contacted by Island Echo this week, Cllr Lucioni verbally suggested that she had “lost her glasses” when questioned about the post. She subsequently said she would respond formally to questions put to her, but no further response had been received at the time of publication.
The Isle of Wight Council is now looking into the formal complaint concerning Cllr Lucioni’s conduct, submitted by Island Echo, against the Members’ Code of Conduct complaints process.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“The Council does not comment on whether a complaint has been received, nor on the details of any alleged complaints as they are handled in accordance with due process.”
Cllr Lucioni has served as Mayor of Ryde since May this year. She has represented Ryde Monktonmead on the Isle of Wight Council since May 2021 and was re-elected to County Hall earlier this year.
At County Hall, Cllr Lucioni currently sits on both the Health and Wellbeing Board and Standards Committee, while also chairing the Environment and Community Protection Committee.
So who just exactly raised this formal complaint.
Get a life there are far more important things to be concerned about than this.
This is so pathetic I’m cringing reading it. Breaking news exclusive woman has a drink in a pub.
Whether an elected representative of the people chooses to wear ridiculous trinkets to the pub is of very little interest to most people.
What is of interest is the wide disparity in life outcomes between those with wealth and those in poverty.
The fact that the electorate pay to insure these silly trinkets during a cost of living crisis is far greater scandal than where the Mayor chooses to wear them.
How many school meals could be funded if the £2500 pointless chains of office were sold off? How about sleeping bags for the homeless community? Or perhaps even funding a speed camera?
It’s 2026. Not 1826. A town mayor doesn’t need to dress like BA Baracus.
Do you have blue hair and wear a chequered scarf by any chance
No.
Do you have any worthwhile contribution to make to the discussion, by any chance?
If it was Farage doing it they’d hate it!
Nothing wrong with a bit of bling.
oh my god. False outrage! Get a life. She had an “alcoholic drink” – So what – was she drunk? Is it OK to wear the mayoral regalia at a formal dinner where you may have several “alcoholic drinks”? Absolute non story. I am neither a fan or a detractor of Ms Lucioni; however, this is petty and puerile
Quite agree, typical school playground stuff. Can’t she even relax for 5 minutes without someone invading her personal space for goodness’ sake? Without her permission?
Only thing she should be worried about is the awful photo.
Are you kidding me? What a complete non story! Why has this even been reported on. Leave her alone to have a drink in peace.
I have a question for the mayor.
Were you drinking wine or lager and can I please buy you one?
What sad person reported this? Honestly, GET A LIFE!! With what’s going on in this country atm, THIS is making news??!!
that chain is meant to represent the office of of the mayor and should be treated with respect – it isnt meant to be worn in the pub whilst getting lagged up as some sort of fancy dress.
she has delusions of grandeur and those around her are clearly clowns, drunk on their own self importance
they all need to go and get people in office, who are focused on making sure the island is clean, tidy, efficiently run, with taxes down, costs down, no illegal immigrants and no woke BS
Illegal immigrants y’say? Where? Did I miss them?
Clearly you did, they nearly landed on our shores last weekend and you’re trying to act like they’re not here, you’re hilarious.
What did you expect from this waste of space stupid woman…. Absolutely a waste of time she is
I dont think its a problem with the chain on but sure seems like shes plastered as well. If she was flaunting the chain as described thats an issue but really none of it is just a whingy person and if they didnt like it they can run for mayor
Sounds like much ado sbout nothing to me she was not drunk or falling over just mixing with the people she represents who I usume voted her to be mayor so what’s the problem .!!!
I just made a comment but it wads not shown .!!
Every one of us, makes an error of judgement occasionally.
Not a hanging affair, I think.
Not when in a position of power, if you did then that power would and should be removed from you.
What a hoot and a half. Let her wear or NOT wear the clothing and accessories of her choice. You’d think she was imitating The Duchess of Sussex with all your frivolous comments. Good on her, your honor!
Looney lefties complaining
seems to me someone has got it in for her!