The scandal surrounding Mary-Anne Thompson is getting murkier with revelations the head of the public service knew about her questionable qualifications four years ago.
An inquiry is underway into claims a doctorate Thompson gained from the London School of Economics does not exist. The State Services Commission revealed on Friday afternoon that it has referred the matter to police.
But in the latest twist, it is claimed that Michael Wintringham, who was the head of the Public Service four years ago, was aware of concerns about Thompson's qualifications.
When spoken on the phone by ONE News Wintringham would only talk briefly, saying we should be very careful what we say about what was, or wasn't known in 2004.
He says he won't say anything more on the matter in case it jeopardises the investigation or fuels what he calls the media trial of Mary-Anne Thompson.
The State Services Commission confirms Wintringham knew about the qualification concerns and "made his own judgement" about how to handle it.
But Trevor Mallard, who was minister in charge at the time, says he wasn't briefed on the matter.
Mary-Anne Thompson worked in Kiribati in the 1980s, then at the Institute of Economic Research in 1987.
It is understood she claimed to have a doctorate when she was appointed as economic adviser at the Ministry of Maori Affairs in 1990 and when she moved to the department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1998.
But when she applied for the Immigration Service job in 2004 the PhD wasn't mentioned .
ONE News has been told by the London School of Economics that Thompson never received a PhD from its school.
Thompson is upset the concerns are being raised now.
A letter from her lawyer, accidentally sent to media, says the fact the Commission took "no action" for so long, but is now dealing with the matter with "unseemly haste" is suggestive of political concerns, rather than simply good administration of the public service.
