THE leader of the Isle of Wight Council, who pledged transparency when she first took up the post, has finally admitted a collection of golly dolls spotted in a Facebook post were hers — but says it was an old photo.

More than two weeks after first being asked to explain the photo, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox has issued a personal statement to selected media but omitted to send it to the County Press or the Island's Local Democracy Reporter, Louise Hill, who reports on council matters for media across the region, including the BBC.

The County Press first broke the story and had repeatedly requested her explanation of it.

She now says the image, which alludes to fireworks over Northwood, was taken a long time ago and claims it has been doctored.

Isle of Wight County Press:

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What has Lora Peacey-Wilcox now said about golly doll claims?

She told other media: "I loathe racism and other forms of discrimination from the pit of my stomach" and said she had had widespread support from the public.

She also said she would not be resigning and "will not let people down".

As previously reported, she said she had to involve police and carry a personal alarm since the story broke.

She hasn't explained the provenance of the dolls, but says they are not in her house.

When did the golly issue first get raised?

The issue had been brewing since November, when the chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Geoff Brodie, said the existence of the picture was first brought to his attention, and he told Cllr Peacey-Wilcox he thought she should resign.

He said expected her to quit the job on November 18, but that never happened.

Cllr Joe Robertson, leader of the Tory group on the council, said two weeks ago: "If it is true, it is of very serious concern that the leader of the Isle of Wight Council appears to have a collection of dolls on display which are widely considered to be racist.

"The leader has responsibility for championing equality and diversity as well as ensuring that the council represents all residents regardless of their ethnic background."

He said if proven, he did not see how somebody could continue as leader of a modern local authority as it would have wide-ranging implications for the reputation of the whole council and whether residents could have confidence in its commitment to equality and diversity.

He added: ""The leader must give a full and detailed explanation of the content and context of the photos without delay."

All Cllr Peacey-Wilcox would say on the matter was: "Whatever the images you have been sent purport to show, I can confirm that I have no such items in my home."

She also declined to answer questions on the subject at full council meeting.

She has now said she won't be speaking any further about it after today's statement.

See today's County Press for readers' letters on the matter. To send your own letter, email editor@iwcp.co.uk