NEW Zealand's military admitted it was "seriously embarrassed" after an inquiry revealed it granted high security clearance to a scientist who lived in an elaborate fantasy world.
The head of the Defence Technology Agency Stephen Wilce quit last month after it was revealed he falsely claimed to be an ex-Marine combat veteran and an Olympic bobsledder who raced against Jamaica's "Cool Runnings" team.
Details of an inquiry released yesterday revealed the extent of Wilce's claims to incredulous collegues, saying the defence force's top scientist had admitted to telling tall stories about himself since childhood.
It said Wilce claimed to be a helicopter pilot who served with Prince Andrew, a spy with British intelligence and a special forces soldier who was on an IRA death list.
Among numerous other fabrications, he also said he had been a member of the Welsh rugby union team, captain of the Royal Navy swimming team and a guitarist on the British folk music cicuit.
The report found Wilce had embellished his resume when he was hired in 2005 and his appointment was carried out with undue haste. It called for tighter vetting procedures in defence force recruitment.
"Some dumb decisions were made," Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae told reporters ....
