One News
June 10 2003

Goff unmoved by Ellis petition

The Justice Minister says a petition calling for a fresh inquiry into the Peter Ellis case will not convince him to take further action.

National MPs Don Brash and Katherine Rich have signed up 75 high profile New Zealanders who want a Royal Commission into Ellis's 1993 convictions for child sex offences.

The petition, sparked by a book written by Lynley Hood, has been signed by former prime ministers, law professors, writers and psychologists.

The author says if a Royal Commission of Inquiry goes ahead it will have huge ramifications for the entire justice system.

However, Justice Minister Phil Goff says the case has already been well scrutinised by both the Court of Appeal and a former Chief Justice during the ministerial inquiry in 2001.

The petition should be presented to Parliament within a few weeks.