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The
Christchurch Civic Creche Case |
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Peter Ellis’ lawyer, Judith
Ablett-Kerr QC, of Dunedin, said it was a "real disappointment” that the
committee had not recommended a royal commission. However, there were
positive aspects to the committee’s other recommendations, including that the
attorney-general not oppose a proposed application for leave to appeal to the
Privy Council, and that the Legal Services Agency provide legal aid. Legal aid was granted
only "very rarely indeed" for Privy Council appeals, Mrs
Ablett-Kerr said. This recommendation
signalled this was a case of “very significant importance”, which the
Government saw as being worthy of consideration, she said. She hoped the
Attorney-general, Dr Michael Cullen, would act quickly on the recommendations
to allow an appeal to be sought as soon as possible. A recommendation that a
body similar to the United Kingdom’s Criminal Cases Review Authority be
established to consider alleged miscarriages of justice was "very
constructive". Also positive was a suggested amendment of the Crimes Act
to counter potential bias arising from grouping together a range of charges
against a defendant, she said. The overall outcome was
“extremely disappointing”, Dunedin MP Katherine Rich and Dunedin author Dr
Lynley Hood said in separate interviews. In 2003, Ms Rich, a
National list MP, and National leader Don Brash started a petition calling
for a royal commission of inquiry into the Peter Ellis case. Dr Hood wrote A City
Possessed, an award-winning book documenting the controversy surrounding Mr
Ellis, a convicted sex offender. The committee’s overall
report, including suggested reforms, showed the committee had “grave
misgivings” about the Christchurch Civic Creche case, involving Mr Ellis, she
said. The committee had shown
a lack of “moral courage” by not supporting a royal commission, but pressure
for a full inquiry would continue to grow in future, Dr Hood said. Mr Ellis has always
maintained his innocence. |
