On the basis of an account elsewhere I suspect an initial impression that they might well be sympathetic to the idea was given, without too much thought. Whereas the fuss generated by scallywags such as us made them think about it more deeply and realise it was a non-starter. Scallywag power can't be acknowledged though. ;)

As you imply, its not a question of not offending anyone its a question of doing what's right and there's no argument about what that is. Looks like me and Littlestone won't have a reason to set each other alight. Damn.