I'd normally choose cock-up over conspiracy, but the release of the Defender route plan and associated considerations does seem remarkably well timed and helpful to the intended narrative... almost like someone wants to keep the story and the legal position in the news. If so it's doubly clever as it will get attention from those at home and abroad who thrive on stories of UK cock-ups, who will be drawn into reading the explanation of the Russian encounter and will no doubt be frustrated at the lack of mention of "poking the bear". The other reported contents seem fairly anodyne; I guess the material the BBC chose to withhold might give more of a clue as to whether this was an "accident". Also, who uses printed material these days, anyway?!
Last edited by Easy Street; 27th Jun 2021 at 09:43.