The Daily News
June 25 2003
Ellis petitioners call for courage
by David McLoughlin
Retired High Court
judge Laurie Greig says he has serious misgivings
about the Christchurch Civic Creche child abuse case
and says a full commission of inquiry is needed to answer the many questions
raised about the prosecution.
The former Justice Greig, who retired from the bench
in 1996, is one of the 140 lawyers, politicians and other public figures to
sign a petition seeking a royal commission into the case, which saw creche worker Peter Ellis sentenced to 10 years jail in
1993.
The petition was presented to Parliament yesterday by its organisers,
National MPs Don Brash and Katherine Rich.
Several former creche workers were among about 50
people who attended a ceremony at Parliament.
Justice Greig, who was on the bench at the time of
Ellis' trial and first unsuccessful appeal, said yesterday he had not followed
the case closely at the time but became concerned after reading Dunedin author Lynley Hood's book on it, A City Possessed.
"When I read that book I felt it required a sober investigation, a
separate new look by a commission of inquiry," he said. "Even if it
comes out that (Ellis) was indeed guilty, that would be a worthwhile outcome
too, as long as it resolved all the doubts."
Ellis was paroled in 2000, continuing to maintain his innocence. The following
year a report on the case for Justice Minister Phil Goff by former chief
justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum said Ellis had failed
"by a distinct margin" to prove his innocence.
Mr Goff has said of the petition that he could only
order a new inquiry if there was new evidence, but the petition organisers hope that the public standing of those who
signed it will change his mind.
Signatories include former prime ministers David Lange and Mike Moore, MPs from
all parties in Parliament, many former MPs, prominent
lawyers such as QCs George Barton and John Rowan, former
As well as the 140 named public figures, another 667 people signed the document
presented to Parliament, including former parents and pupils from the creche. A website has been launched to gather more signatures.
Speaking to the ceremony yesterday, Ms Hood said the justice system had failed
catastrophically in this case.
"You don't need the permission of the judicial system for a royal
commission, all you need is moral courage," she said.
Former Civic creche supervisor Gaye Davidson said all
she wanted was justice for Ellis and the staff and families of the Civic.
"We've lost years of our lives and still live under the shadow of the
allegations made against us."