|
|
The Christchurch
Civic Creche Case |
|
|
|
|
Christchurch: Stress over
a bid to quash child abuse convictions is likely to have contributed to the
heart attack suffered by convicted paedophile Peter Ellis, his mother says. But Christchurch
Central MP Tim Barnett, who heads the select committee looking into the Civic
Creche case, has defended the 21 months so far taken to weigh the call for an
inquiry. Ellis (47) suffered
chest pains while at home in North Canterbury on Thursday night. Ash-grey and
requiring oxygen, he was rushed by ambulance to Christchurch Hospital. He
remained seriously ill last night. Lesley Ellis was
startled when her son knocked on her bedroom door and said, “Mum, I’m having
a heart attack.” It had been a draining
week for Ellis, with the loss of two staunch supporters, relatives Gordon and
Mollie Seatter. The couple died naturally within a few days of each other. Mrs Ellis believed
politicians added to her son’s already serious health problems by drawing out
the decision on a commission of inquiry. Since November 2003,
when Ellis was hospitalised with a serious infection that stemmed from having
a tooth out, his immune system had been depleted, she said. Delays over the fight
to clear his name added to the stress. A petition calling for
a top level look at the creche case has been with the Justice and Electoral
Select Committee for 21 months. Chaired by Mr Barnett, the committee is
inching towards making its recommendation to the Government. Mr Barnett said other
select committee priorities had contributed to the delay. |
