Mark Prebble admits criticising Rankin's dress

The man who allegedly told Christine Rankin he felt uncomfortable when she moved as he could "distinguish her breast", today told the Employment Court he did describe her dress as "indecent" and "offensive".

Mark Prebble, head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, was giving evidence for the Crown on the eighth day of the Department of Work and Income boss' damages case.

In describing his first meeting with Mrs Rankin in April 1999, Mr Prebble told the court:

"I was surprised that she had a very low-cut neck line. I thought it was revealing to the point it was indecent, and I found it offensive."

He said he was embarrassed by her low neck line, which was "improper for senior staff".

Mrs Rankin is suing State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham for $818,000, saying he failed to act as a good employer and allowed political interference to affect his decision not to reappoint her as chief executive of Work and Income New Zealand.

Mr Prebble told the court Mrs Rankin said she would have a "good hard look at her wardrobe to see if some low-cut neck lines and short skirts might be eliminated".

He said Mrs Rankin did complain it was sexist and unfair and she did not think she could change her total style.

He said he had told her he too had been advised to change his long-haired, sandalled look as a young man in the public service.

The woman who will temporarily fill the shoes of Mrs Rankin when her contract ends this week, also gave evidence today.

Dame Margaret Bazley, a former chief executive of the Departments of Transport and Social Welfare, referred to a conference at which a foreign dignitary was allegedly distracted by Mrs Rankin's short skirt.

Dame Margaret said: "I thought her dress was inappropriate."

She also told the court about her own need for protection from death threats, bullets in the mail, threats of gang rape and the burning of effigies in her years as a public servant.

"It goes with the territory," Dame Margaret said.

"I would say that the threats that Mrs Rankin and I were subjected to were in relation to the previous government's policies."

The hearing continues tomorrow.