All,
ATC will react in an appropriate manner when you declare a PAN and state that it is due to a fuel shortage etc. If the Easyjet diverted to LPL and had declared a fuel shortage then there would have been no need for ATC to declare a full emergency. However, if the pilot gave more information on the problem other than just a diversion because he had reached fuel minimums then ATC would make the approriate response.
At this time we do not have the full facts, try not to be tempted to speculate over whether this was an overreaction.
