Perhaps I should be writing a second letter now asking for the ODPM to be investigated on the grounds of either incompetence or vindictiveness.
If they admit it was an 'editing error', then there should be no question about the original protection being reinstated it should be restored now.
NL have a habit of trying things on, to see if anyone notices, and if they get found out, they don't quite restore the status quo ante.
This needs further close watching