(Duff is out of the office - this is Wench #1 speaking on his behalf)
Dick is entitled, like any pilot, to report a safety or procedural breach and ask for an official response. He is NOT entitled to abuse his relationships with the Minister for Transport and the media and libel Airservices and the controllers involved. Airservices should pursue a countersuit for libel.
As expected, Dick's office comes out with a selective statement of the facts involved. It's not our position to preemt the Airservices investigation - but there was a LOT more to it than a decision between IFR and VFR for clearance availability.
Dick, say an IFR or VFR clearance was available - but required a 20 NM diversion to pick up appropriate route. Would you have taken it? I thought not. By the way, tell us about your eastbound flight, wasn't that fun???? !
(Wench #1 out... now to ignore churchall)