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The
Press
March 11, 2004
Dalziel pulls out of Ellis probe
Personal links to
the Christchurch Civic Creche case have seen Christchurch East MP Lianne
Dalziel remove herself from a related parliamentary investigation.
Dalziel yesterday declared conflicts of interest to the select committee
weighing a petition calling for a commission of inquiry.
Dalziel joined the justice and electoral select committee following her
resignation as Immigration Minister almost three weeks ago. She lost her
Cabinet place after lying about her role in leaking a letter about a Sri
Lankan teenager facing deportation.
However, Dalziel moved quickly to avoid another controversy by declaring
herself off-limits for the creche deliberations.
In 1993, creche worker Peter Ellis was found guilty of abusing children in
his care.
Dalziel has a personal connection to two children who attended the creche.
She is also married to Rob Davidson, whose first wife, Gaye, was Ellis's
supervisor at the creche.
Gaye Davidson and three co-workers – Marie Keys, Jan Buckingham and Debbie
Gillespie – were charged with indecent assault and sexual violation. The
charges were later dropped.
"I'm conflicted on both sides," Dalziel said. "I will be
absent from all considerations of the Ellis petition." The select
committee will meet again next week to discuss how to assess the need for a
top-level inquiry.
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