Hampshire police have confirmed they are investigating a possible hate incident against Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox.

Last week, the County Press reported Cllr Peacey-Wilcox denied having golly figures in her home despite a Facebook post from herself from November appearing to show a glass display cabinet in her kitchen full of golly figures.

Cllr Peacey-Wilcox denied she had any such figures in her home at this time.

Then on Monday, Isle of Wight Council chairman, Cllr Geoff Brodie, who said he was tired of being accused of things over the matter, published an exchange of emails from November which appeared to show him drafting a resignation letter for the leader, including the claim said she had been given the figures by a relative. 

She replies thanking him for the draft.

Cllr Peacey-Wilcox told the CP it was now a police matter.

Police statement on hate incident

Now Hampshire Constabulary have today (Thursday) issued a statement saying: "We received a report of a Hate Incident on Tuesday evening from a woman aged in her fifties from Cowes.

"The report relates to the sharing of an image online and subsequent harassment to the victim from members of the public.

"An investigator is reviewing the circumstances to establish whether any offences have been committed."

The issue over the gollies erupted at last night's full Isle of Wight Council meeting, with Cllr Brodie clearing the public gallery and attempting to remove the press from the chamber during the adjournment.