zoigberg,
With all due respect, point 2 is not correct.
It is perfectly legal (and a good idea) to allow certian applicants to skip parts of a recruitment process if they have already completed it to the necessary standard before. I have seen it with my own eyes on several occasions.
I think SCD is completely reasonable in his opinion.
Ex Thomson chaps who got the boot should be offered a job with little more than an interview. Fair and legal.
Not sure too many would disagree?
Ironically the offer isn't good enough for them though!