No evidence Knox told to destroy records

Daily Telegraph
March 2, 2015

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/knox-leader-denies-advising-cover-up/story-fni0xqi3-1227245075440

THERE is no evidence to support an allegation linking a former Uniting Church leader with the destruction of documents at Knox Grammar School, an inquiry has heard.

COUNSEL assisting the child abuse royal commission David Lloyd said on Monday it was not his intention to recommend finding related to the records against James Mein, the former moderator of the Uniting Church and former council member at the Sydney boys day and boarding school.

Mr Lloyd said Dwane Feehley, whose email contained an allegation that a solicitor assisted by Jim Mein was advising Knox to destroy records, was overseas and could not be compelled to appear. There was no other evidence to suggest Mr Mein or former chairman of the Knox Council, solicitor Rob Wannan, made any such advice. The commission has found a "paucity" of records at the school about student complaints and the school's response to allegations of historical sexual abuse of students. On Monday Mr Mein said the conversations he remembered related to concerns someone had "sanitised" the school records. He also said he and others on the council suspected documents were removed by Adrian Nisbett, a teacher who was later convicted of indecent dealing with boys. The commission has heard Nisbett, who was allow to resign in 2004, is now in Africa and cannot be summoned to appear. Nisbett was assistant to headmaster Ian Paterson and was given the job of compiling an 80th anniversary publication for the school and had access to archives. "I certainly have never, nor am I aware of any solicitor in our groups, that actually said we should be destroying records," Mr Mein told the hearing on Monday. Mr Mein he thought it "abhorrent" to destroy documents.