So he used the word REQUIRE. No doubt made in the heat of battle. And you definitely are giving it too much importance.
However, no matter the phrase he chose to use, on the day the company will only provide him with information so as to help him in the decision making process. It is called "Using all available resources".
I get the strong impression you see a conspiracy theory here. You are looking for "Deep Throat". The truth is that there is none. If you think that everytime a BA flight has a problem he phones home and asks what to do, you are living in an alternate universe. Captains are paid to make informed decisions. That is what he did.
Over and over gain.
The Captain is paid to make decisions. He makes them. The company can require you fly inverted. Naked. to the South Pole. It is always the Captians decision to do so, or not.
In this instance he would say no. Because he has a duty of care to his passengers, and he values his licence.