The 'self-preservation' bit in the process that led to the award of John Cruickshank's VC was noted on Clarkson's programme on the VC. IIRC, it was an individual rather than a committee who raised the issue of his taling control of the aircraft rather than letting the nav land it potentially fell foul of the VC warrant.
I think Mr Clarkson may have slightly overplayed this point for effect - AIUI, it was more a case of someone raising the issue as a 'are we content that this does not risk contravening the extremely high standard set by the warrant?' and being perfectly happy to recieve a unanimous 'yes, we are quite content that Fg Off Cruickshank meets the VC criteria, thank you' response.