Be it as it is - I don't know the facts. I'm on Limp's side. I realize that there are a few stubborn aviators on both side of the big pond. Their thinking is like civil servants and they behave like it. In aviation there is no garantee for nothing, and while they become older (and get into bigger aircraft), they loose the ability of common sense. Kind of senility.
If ATC tells you that the ship isn't in your way, then it most probably isn't. ATC is not your adversary, it's your friend... - and he sits on a higher position than you. I'm also gettin terrible restless at times when I watch such grey-haired aviators. Accident debriefs show that they very early loose the plot, get angry about nothing and finally do the wrong thing.
Terribly generalizing I am, I know...
Dani