I was having lunch at Farnborough last week, (better than working!) and this subject came up.
A man I could not, (and perhaps should not) indentify, but apparently a senior GD branch type, suggested I research the following:-
1. How many desceased pilots have been convicted on "gross negligence" in the 10 years prior to the ZD576 accident.
2. What level of proof was used on those occasions.
He implied that this would shed light on my confusion as to what the hell the MOD was up to!
I was not in a position to inquire further, and thus could not press him, so I am undertaking to find an answer here.