CONTROVERSIAL Shanklin hotelier Dino Joachim has been criticised by the town’s mayor for his outrageous behaviour…the latest example of which is an 'awakening' party on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Dino, of the Nightingale Hotel, strongly believes the Covid pandemic is “one of the greatest lies in history” and is “as real as 9/11” — an attack he believes the USA government masterminded.

His celebration event The Great Awakening, which is set to take place tomorrow (Saturday) has caused upset among some County Press readers.

And Shanklin mayor and IW Council member for Shanklin South, Cllr Chris Quirk, said: “Dino does things to shock. He has a marketing strategy to skim off the small percentage of people who like the outrageous.

“If these things were done discretely indoors fair enough, but in my view when they had strippers in the garden visible to passing families on the cliff path before, that was bad enough.

“I’m not enthusiastic about this party and it doesn’t fit with Shanklin’s image.”

The party is set to feature cabaret shows, an outdoor hot tub, burlesque performers and oil wrestling.

With a summer beach dress code, any women wearing bikinis get their first cocktails free, and the dress code for men is shirtless or Hawaiian shirts.

Dino posted on Facebook: “If you want to take the vaccine go-ahead, if you don’t you shouldn’t be coerced and manipulated into taking it.

“Covid 19 is definitely a real illness, but there is no pandemic.

“The pandemic is as real as 9/11, where the American government blew up the twin towers to inflict fear on to the people.

“I personally watched the demolition live on TV. And now again I am living in one of the greatest lies in history.

“To celebrate I’m throwing an insane party on 9/11 which you are all welcome to.”

The capacity is set at 150 people.

Dino said the environmental health and licensing departments of the Isle of Wight Council had ‘no issues’ with his previous stance of banning masks and ‘vaccine cultists’ from his hotel, although he had been threatened with fines.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The council said at the time it was urging businesses such as the Nightingale “to ensure the authoritative and medically accepted messages are not weakened by fake news and rumour”.

Dino told the County Press: “It’s just going to be a fun party. I’m so happy people are wound up by it and they are getting their knickers in a twist.”

Dino says ticket sales will go to a charity that supports families directly impacted by 9/11.

The hotel first hit the headlines in 2018 for its unusual exterior decor.