The Christchurch Civic Creche Case
	News Reports Index
	1999 July-Dec
	The Dominion September 23 1999 Ellis's mother to plead for commission of inquiry The mother of Peter Ellis, in jail after being convicted of child molesting, arrives in Wellington today to make an impassioned plea for politicians to hold a royal commission of inquiry into her son's controversial conviction. Leslie Ellis said last night that the pending decision on an appeal heard in July was irrelevant, as the controversy surrounding the investigation into her son still left too many unanswered questions. "There are just too many concerns about a range of government departments," Mrs Ellis said. "It's not just the police, it's the Education Department, ACC, social welfare and the whole Justice Department which has to be questioned." Mrs Ellis travels to Wellington with a letter for Justice Minister Tony Ryall asking for an inquiry. Copies will be given to all MPs. Ellis, who had spurned two parole opportunities by refusing to acknowledge guilt, was still determined to clear his name, his mother said. "Peter has to be released in February anyway, but he is still exceedingly resolute when it comes to proving his innocence. He's still pretty annoyed," Mrs Ellis said. Last November, Ellis's lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, asked Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys for Ellis to be pardoned and for an inquiry. Sir Michael later declined the pardon but agreed to widen the terms of the appeal.