Thanks.

The play was subtle.
Millions of euros from member states were quietly parked in money market funds — supposedly safe, short-term instruments. But when the funds turned volatile in 2022–2023, the CFO didn’t declare losses. Instead, she used “currency revaluation” entries to mask them. A £1.6 million “loss” in July was reversed with a £1.8 million “gain” in August — no trades, no real income, just a digital balancing act.

On paper, the books looked fine.
In reality, more than £11.8 million of public money had evaporated.

When questions came, the CFO pointed to auditors and “foreign exchange fluctuations.” But PwC — the same firm later discredited in other audit scandals — signed off without probing the mismatch between accounting entries and actual market movements. Internally, the CFO was celebrated for “managing exposure.” In truth, she was managing perception.

Meanwhile, engineers were left scrambling for project cash as financial black holes grew. Procurement budgets were mysteriously reshuffled, Indigenous partnership funds delayed, and internal investigators quietly sidelined. Those who asked too many questions — like the Technical Design Authority who exposed the discrepancy — found their emails locked, positions “restructured,” and reputations questioned.

At the top, Director-General Phil Diamond kept his telescope steady on retirement. He had shepherded SKA from idea to concrete, but by 2025 he seemed intent on leaving with “no scandal under his watch.” When confronted with the mounting allegations, insiders say his response was classic institutional containment:

“Let Council handle it.”

Council never did. They commissioned polite reviews, redacted reports, and waited for time to pass — the oldest trick in international governance.

By then, the CFO had already secured her legacy: a trail of manipulated accounts buried under immunity, an untouched bonus, and a spotless resignation letter.
SKAO’s scientists still talk about “first light.”
The accountants had already seen it — when millions disappeared in a flash.

She fell for the Amway pyramid scheme, hook line and sinker and “invested” the funds hoping to turn a profit on someone else’s money.

I don’t think she did time, but got hit with a huge fine… Which under Swedish law can be drawn direct from your salary. By all accounts she now lives in a much more modest apartment.

Corruption is very much worldwide.

Back in 6th grade, I am other members of the class were to go on a trip—money set aside for it in the charge of the Mom of one girl.

“Sorry”

No trip.

Disappointing to see Jodrell Bank associated with this. Their legacy deserves better.

That’s Square Kilometer Array (SKA), in both the headline and the first sentence.