Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox has broken her silence over the Golly doll incident.
News of the Council leader owning Golly dolls and posting an image showing them in the background made its way to the national press last weekend, leading to “hostile and bitter attacks” against her and the Police supplying the leader with a personal alarm.
In a statement to the media, Cllr Peacey Wilcox said an image “taken a long time ago” which was re-posted in November in a private Facebook message about the impact of fireworks on pets, was “doctored” by political opponents.
Leader: People who know me personally, know the range of ethnicities in my close family
Cllr Peacey Wilcox 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.”
Peacey Wilcox: “Doctored” by political opponents
The Leader went on to explain,
“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.”
Peacey Wilcox: Used to incite racial hatred and launch personal attacks
She added,
“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.”
Peacey Wilcox: Pursuing political ambitions or personal motives
Explaining her view on the motivation of those persecuting her, the Leader said,
“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.”
Over 600 messages of support
Cllr Peacey Wilcox added that aside from a couple of “hate-filled emails” that had been passed onto the police, she’d had more than 600 messages 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. 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.”
Getting on with the job
The leader finished by saying,
“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.”
News OnTheWight has raised questions with Cllr Jonathan Bacon, who shared the Leader’s statement with the media.
