Relax, Pete. I agree with you. Outrageous and inexcusable behaviour, and they should have chucked him off - but to be fair, it looks like that was Plan A.
Such appalling behaviour, in fact, that I was merely waiting for someone to accuse the journo of exaggerating, making it up, not letting facts get in the way of a good story. But I suspect - surprise, surprise - it won't happen this time. Go figure.