Corruption and Crime Commission boss John McKechnie was never someone likely to take a once-unthinkable outcome lying down.

The veteran legal mind had bitten his tongue throughout a political fight about his reappointment, but with the writing on the wall about his future in the role, he clearly decided enough was enough.

"I have to say I've seen some strange political things in my time, and this is probably up there as a gold medal contender," Mr McKechnie told ABC Radio Perth on Thursday, after his reappointment was vetoed for a second time.

"Why anybody would think it's a good idea to decapitate the corruption commission when it's in the middle of about seven or eight major investigations, I don't know."

After the decision by the parliamentary committee overseeing the CCC to once again block the Government's desire to give Mr McKechnie a second term, it would take extraordinary and almost unimaginable turn of events for him to get another crack at the job.

Sorry, this audio has expired Listen to the full interview here: WA corruption chief likens leadership situation to decapitation of the agency

Opponents refuse to budge

Publicly, the Government is still clinging to the hope that legislation will pass the Upper House to give Mr McKechnie another five years in the job.

But with the Liberals, Nationals and key crossbenchers all lining up to oppose that bill — and the Greens leader highly critical of it as well — even Labor's biggest optimist would see that as awfully unlikely.

Plus any hope the Government had of winning over other parties to its position took a severe blow with the explanation of the committee at the centre of the furore this week.

The four-member committee, chaired by Labor MP Margaret Quirk, has copped severe criticism for standing in the way of Mr McKechnie's re-appointment without offering any real explanation.

But, in a statement released after it again blocked Mr McKechnie's reappointment, the committee slapped down most of the commentary Premier Mark McGowan and Attorney-General John Quigley have made about the issue.

WA Premier Mark McGowan and Attorney-General John Quigley have been outspoken in criticising the process. ( ABC News: Hugh Sando )

Firstly, it said it was unable to reach "either a bipartisan or majority decision in support", dispelling the Premier and Attorney-General's claims that it was just Liberal Jim Chown vetoing Mr McKechnie's reappointment.

Then it moved to "unequivocally reject" Mr McGowan and Mr Quigley's claims that Mr Chown's alleged position was caused by the investigation into Upper House Liberals, including ex-MP Phil Edman, labelling that "unfounded public speculation".

And it strongly hinted the committee knew more than it was able to say.

"The nature of those discussions is not detailed because it includes information provided by third parties in confidence and matters which may impact on the operational performance of the commission," that statement read.

Premier at odds with his own MP

In addition, the committee made it clear that Mr McKechnie was not the only option, revealing the other two candidates put forward were also deemed to be "qualified for appointment" and again pointing out a very similar situation has happened before, with the Barnett government having a CCC appointment vetoed.

Keep in mind, all of that came from a statement signed by Ms Quirk — one of the Government's own MPs.

That made the implicit criticism of her own boss — the Premier — quite extraordinary, while giving opposition parties plenty of ammunition to justify blocking the legislation before State Parliament to re-appoint Mr McKechnie.

For the Government and Mr McKechnie's supporters though, the lack of a clear and definite public explanation remains both unacceptable and inexplicable — as their frustration grows at the looming disruption for the CCC amid a time of public emergency.

For now, the Government is not budging and insists that Mr McKechnie remains its nominee.

Labor MP Margaret Quirk appears at odds with her leader over the McKechnie reappointment. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor )

Even with the numbers firmly against it, the Government may well proceed with the legislation before State Parliament, believing any party that votes against extending Mr McKechnie's tenure will incur the public's wrath.

But if defeat was not inevitable before, it certainly appears to be now.

As adamant as the Premier and Attorney-General are that Mr McKechnie is by far the best man for the job, they will have to concede soon unless something changes monumentally.

Mr McKechnie will bid farewell to the CCC on Tuesday — and it is increasingly difficult to see him ever coming back.