The controversial chief executive has received sharp criticism from all sides after his angry attack on the media and his absolute refusal to apologise to the families of the bushfire victims near Tenterden, despite an official investigation pointing the finger of blame firmly at the state utility.

Yesterday WA Energy Minister Eric Ripper was forced to intervene and apologise on behalf of the government and for Western Power before chastising Dr van der Mye, who had rejected the findings of the inquiry by Energy Safety.

"I won't tolerate Western Power being bloody-minded on this matter," said Ripper. "On behalf of the government I apologise for the fact that Western Power equipment started this fire."

It has also been reported that van der Mye snubbed the families of the two victims, Lorraine Melia and Judith Ward, when he travelled to Tenterden to visit the scene of the fire.

The families said they felt as if they were being ignored in the matter and were having trouble keeping up with where the investigation was at, although they were pleased with the formal apology delivered by Ripper.

Dr van der Mye hasn't exactly enamoured himself to Western Australian's in the nine months he has been in charge of Western Power, especially with his refusal to relocate to the west, instead preferring to fly back to Melbourne every week or so to be with his family.

The state's highest paid bureaucrat also earned the ire of the people when it was revealed he misused government funds to pay for an unauthorised limousine service, a bill he was later forced to repay.

His crowning achievement to date however has been unintentional if not improbable - making Minister Eric Ripper look good.