DFC, strangely enough I didn't start this thread for you to have a terminally boring diatribe on the merits and minutae of filing flight plans. Please start a flight plan thread if you feel so strongly about it.
My original intention was to get the opinions of ACTCOs and pilots on the reaction of the second ATCO. I thought the first ATCO handled the situation admirably; the infrigement (minor and no risk) was noted, apologies were made and that was it. The second ATCO made no contribution to flight safety, ATCO / pilot relations, or ATCO / ATCO relations in the way that he dealt with the already solved problem. Ah well, maybe he's just the kind of chap who needs extra vineger for the chips he obviously has on both shoulders.