The veracity of such mutterings are always open to question on PPRuNe i.e. read the Red wording at the bottom of each page.
A closed court, in secret session - on matters such as staff travel. HOW pray tell can anyone believe it? It can happen but only in the mind. In this case it is about as real as a rainbow round the sun.
As for giving in! I doubt that WW has done that but I do think he has given great thought to it and decided that it is a concession he can live with because if it comes up again he will drop it in the laps of BASSA. Then see how long "5 minutes" lasts then!