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One News
Peter Ellis (ONE
News) The Justice Minister, Simon Power, is asking officials to look at a request to re-examine the Peter Ellis Civic Creche child abuse case. Ellis was jailed 15 years ago on 16 counts of sex offences against children at the Christchurch where he worked. He served two thirds of his 10-year sentence and has always maintained his innocence. Now supporter Lynley Hood, former National leader Don Brash and former MP Katherine Rich have written to Power calling for an inquiry into the case. "It's not been dealt with adequately and there are too many questions unanswered. There needs to be a full independent inquiry so that people can be assured that the conviction was valid if it was and overturned if it was not," says Brash. Ellis says he's encouraged that the new minister, who has a legal background, is taking notice. The push for a new inquiry into the case follows an article in the National Business Review three weeks ago calling for a pardon. In it Queensland professor James Allan said pardoning Ellis had to be one of John Key's top priorities. He also said Ellis should have his name cleared while still alive. In March a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the case was rejected by the Labour government. |
