Ok, so far no-one from QF has answered either question.
We've had some speculation that Mr. Whitehead's statement about the wx radar might be inaccurate. But no refutation.
We've had some opinion about whether it would be wise to fly back from hongkers without it. But no denial.
We've even discovered the rules may not be clear.
However, at the moment, the silence from the QF camp is speaking volumes. At least the poo-pooing of the story has stopped. I have no axe to grind, BTW. Just interested.