Lee McQueen is rumbled for lying on his CV on The Apprentice (WENN image)

Gordon Brown joins Apprentice Lee McQueen CV debate

Thursday, 12 June 2008

Prime Minister Gordon Brown reckons people should tell the truth when applying for jobs despite urging the public to respect Sir Alan Sugar's decision for choosing CV-lying Lee McQueen as his new Apprentice.

Lee McQueen's victory in the fourth series of The Apprentice led to many questioning Sir Alan Sugar's decision to choose somebody who had been found out to be lying on the CV he used to apply for the hit reality show.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown (WENN image)
When asked about Sir Alan's decision at a Downing Street press conference, Prime Minister Brown said: "Alan Sugar is perfectly able to take all factors into account in making his decision, and I've no doubt that we should support him in the decision that he made.

"But generally my advice to people is to tell the truth when they're applying for jobs, because as was found in this case, it always comes out anyway."

Lee was rumbled in the penultimate show of the series which saw the final five contestants put through an intense interview day.

Chief Executive of IT giant Viglen and close friend of Alan Sugar, Bordan Tkachuk quizzed 30 year-old Lee about his educational background, discovering that the former recruitment manager had only been to university for four months despite putting "2 years" down on his CV.

Bordan Tkachuk quizzes eventual Apprentice winner Lee McQueen (WENN image)
But determined Lee battled through and eventually beat three other candidates, including strong favourite Claire Young, to land the £100,000 in Sir Alan's Company.

McQueen later told a newspaper: "I'd call it information that was miscommunicated, rather than an outright lie.

"I did make it clear that I hadn't completed the course, but then in the midst of the grilling I was getting, I didn't remember exactly what was on my CV, and I was brought bang to rights.

"It was all cringeworthy and embarrassing, especially given my background in recruitment.

"It cast a shadow over my integrity, which was a great shame, as one of the things I pride myself on is my integrity."

Lee McQueen is rumbled on the Apprentice (WENN image)