Not wishing to start a fire but...
Tecumseh, you hit the nail on the head
what BD produce is ADVICE, and the IPTs are free to take or ignore it.
BD do not have the right to make absolute decisions. BD is frequently at odds with others in the procurement chain and everyone is entitled to their opinion, it's a matter of view point.
At the end of the day the decision lies with the IPTs as to what ADVICE they listen to, be it the users, the manufacturers, QinetiQs or some other agency. Just because they ignore BD from time to time there is no reason to get all uppity about it. Boeing no doubt have a similar view regarding those aircraft not flying when in their opinion they are perfectly safe.
DM