So operations has told the Captain to depart after curfew because no dispensation was available..
Everyone involved now knows that a deliberate breach of curfew is to be undertaken. The law is to be knowingly broken. The Captain was just 'following orders'.
I don't envy the position this guy was put in.
I wonder what the consequences would have been for this individual, had they refused? Was he 'ordered' or 'requested' to depart?