Auditor-general Shauket Fakie, at the centre of a row over the editing of the report on the investigation into the arms deal, has fired a broadside at MPs who, he charged, had contravened Parliament's rules by attacking his integrity.

His allegations against the MPs are certain to further muddy the controversy over the arms deal report and may result in a parliamentary investigation into the validity of his claims.

In a special report to Parliament yesterday, Fakie singled out Inkatha Freedom Party MP Gavin Woods the former chairman of the public accounts committee and Democratic Alliance spokeswoman on the arms deal, Raenette Taljaard, in the special report which deals with allegations about the joint investigating team's arms deal report.

It was alleged Fakie edited the draft of the special report after his meeting with cabinet members to excise so-called irregularities. He said the allegations were unfounded and the statements made by Taljaard and Woods in Parliament unfortunate.

"I am concerned that there has been an effort by certain individuals to discredit me and my office. Allegations are based on insufficient and inconclusive evidence," Fakie said.

He said he had not been able to identify any material way in which he had failed in his duty to Parliament and the taxpayer.

Taljaard's statement said the allegations raised questions about the independence of the probe, while Woods said there had been a "subversion" of the investigation which had produced a "seriously deficient report".

Fakie said these statements and others which could have misled MPs, could contravene Rule 66 of Parliament. It was "of serious concern" that some MPs had attacked a constitutional institution such as the auditor-general.

Rule 66 of Parliament stipulates MPs cannot reflect on the competence of office-bearers of constitutionally-established institutions except by way of a substantive motion.

Former minerals and energy minister Penuell Maduna was once found guilty by an ad hoc committee of Parliament of attacking the integrity of then auditor-general Henri Kluever.

With acknowledgements to Linda Ensor and Business Day.