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The
Christchurch Civic Creche Case |
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Presenter: There's been a big setback
for campaigners trying to clear the name of the man found guilty of molesting
children at Christchurch's Civic Crèche. Peter Ellis won't get a commission
of inquiry into his case, but a parliamentary committee has cleared the way
for the case to go to the Privy Council. Winston Wealleans: But what about the investigation? Announcer: Thirteen years on and tensions
still run high in Christchurch over the Civic Crèche case. Winston Wealleans: They're wanting to know what went wrong with the case. Announcer: But after two years of deliberation news
that there will be no commission of inquiry.
From the chairman of the Select Committee no apologies for how long it
has taken. Tim Barnett I think our recommendations in
total do everything which realistically a Royal Commission of Inquiry could
have done, except we've done them some years quicker than would have
otherwise been possible. Announcer: The committee is recommending
some legal changes as a result of the case. It wants changes to the
regulations covering the taking of video evidence from children; Changes to
the Crimes Act to restrict the number of complainants listed on the
indictments; and the Royal Perogative
of Mercy system be reformed. Winston Wealleans It's far too general. It's not specific.
We wanted the Ellis thing sorted and solved. Announcer: But the news wasn't all bad
for Ellis. The Committee has cleared the way for an appeal to the Privy
Council. Judith Ablett-Kerr One has to be positive and that's the
frankly an endorsement really for Peter to take his case to the Privy Council Presenter: Peter Ellis told us he's
disappointed the Select Committee won't recommend a Commission of inquiry but
he is pleased an application to the Privy Council has been endorsed. He's
also pleased with recommended changes to the law he says could help others. |
