National pledges inquiry into Peter Ellis sex abuse case

The National Party will order an inquiry into the Peter Ellis civic creche case if elected to Government, leader Don Brash has pledged.

Dr Brash made the promise in an email to Christchurch-based Ellis supporter, music tutor Richard Christie.

Dr Brash told Mr Christie, "If National is successful in forming a Government after the election, I do intend that there be a full inquiry into the circumstances of Peter Ellis' conviction".

Two years ago the National Party leader and Dunedin-based list MP Katherine Rich started a petition calling for a royal commission of inquiry into the child-abuse convictions of creche worker Ellis.

The justice select committee is considering what kind of inquiry should be held into Ellis' case and is expected to announce its findings before the election.

Ellis' lawyer, Judith Ablett Kerr, QC, said she and Ellis would be "most happy" when they had written confirmation of a royal commission of inquiry into the case.

Dr Brash did not specify what form an inquiry under a National government would take, but his justice spokesman, Richard Worth, offered one possibility.

Mr Worth said an option was to have an overseas judge review the history of events and evidence, with the authority to order the Government to issue a pardon and make reparations.

Mr Worth, who is a member of the justice select committee considering an Ellis inquiry, said that due to strict secrecy requirements he could not comment on whether that was an option being considered.

Dr Brash said in last week's email to Mr Christie that both he and Mr Worth felt the select committee had taken too long to deliver a finding on what kind of inquiry was needed.

"He [Mr Worth] and I have both been concerned at the process which the committee has followed and the delays which have ensued."

Mr Christie said he had contacted Dr Brash because he wanted to know what would happen to Ellis' chances of an inquiry under National.

He supported Ellis because he felt the creche worker had not received a fair hearing. "I thought there was something wrong about the case and that there was a high chance he was innocent."

- NZPA