By Chris Ormond of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 10 NZPA - The appointment of a man with an allegedly dubious CV to a high-level Defence Force role begs the questions as to whether security was compromised and if others in top positions have been adequately screened, MPs say.

Stephen Wilce, who headed the Defence Technology Agency (DTA), resigned after being stood down a week ago from a position he has held for five years.

TV3's 60 Minutes reported on Wednesday that Mr Wilce had made extravagant claims about his background, including that he had a distinguished combat career. The programme alleged many of his claims were false.

New Zealand Defence Force chief Jerry Mateparae said yesterday the force was "dealing with the matter both in an employment sense and also the security and credibility (issues)". He said a whistle-blower had raised concerns in July, but maintained Mr Wilce had been working "exceptionally well".

Labour Party defence spokesman Pete Hodgson said there may be an explanation, but from what had surfaced about Mr Wilce, it was alarming he had made his way to the top of New Zealand's security tree and apparently passed high-level checks. He said he considered the issue a "serious breach of the integrity of our security system".

Mr Hodgson told NZPA the foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee had sent a "please explain" letter to Lieutenant General Mateparae, and a similar one to Defence Minister Wayne Mapp. A response was expected within a couple of weeks.

A spokesman from Mr Mapp's office said today the minister had asked for a full report from the defence force, "and until those processes are complete it's not really sensible to make any further comment".

Mr Wilce was initially recruited through private company Momentum Consulting. Managing director Bede Ashby said the company was looking into the issue and would work openly with the defence force, which had been in touch.

"We are very confident in the quality of our recruitment systems and processes," Mr Ashby told NZPA today. "The matter is subject to an inquiry by the defence force, which Momentum will be co-operating fully with."

He said part of the investigation would involve getting in touch with the employee -- now overseas -- who had dealt directly with Mr Wilce.

Mr Hodgson said if private recruitment firms were found to have let applicants applying for high-level government positions slip through cracks, it was still a government problem.

"I'm not blaming the current or previous government...but if this guy is so many sandwiches short of a picnic, as he seems to be, who else in senior positions are similarly colourful".

Green Party defence spokesman Keith Locke said situations where people bluffed their way into top jobs left them open to blackmail-style approaches from others familiar with their backgrounds.

Former Immigration Service head Mary Anne Thompson resigned in 2008 and was later convicted for fraud, after falsifying her CV.

Mr Locke said such cases showed that simply taking job applicants at their word could backfire.

He said it was reasonable to expect security services would double check job history, military background and whatever else was needed, for someone applying for any high level government role.

Mr Locke said a review of some form was needed following the latest case, and would favour the State Services Commission getting involved.

A State Services Commission spokesman said while public service chief executives were effectively the commissioner's employees, that sort of oversight did not apply with the defence force. While the commission could be called in, the issue in question was between the defence force and an employee.