I had something similar many moons ago.
The IR inspector was an 'aviation expert', but in conversation turned out to have failed his PPL before giving up. That was why they considered him an expert. I tell you this mark 1 W. Anker knew about as much on aviation matters as I do about Neurosurgery, ie nowt, if not less.
Needless to say his drive was one of pure spite. A real horror.
Some of his off the record comments, had he mutter'd them outside of the meeting, I'd have floored him. Luckily for him, we live at opposite ends of the country.
PS