Interesting. So Manchester provides the escort - presumably because it wants the revenues and perhaps even the kudos. Just how do they do this without assuming some responsibility?
Perhaps a tablet of stone delivered to the captain. "You taxi at your own risk."
To absolve themselves during high court action, I would imagine the wording would have to be more . . . involved.
I think everything hangs on what the AF skipper was thinking/saying at the moments leading up to the collision. If he was giving the taxiing 100% of his attention, then I think the local system/procedures/staff are failing him to some degree.
Having said this, I have a gut feeling it will be found he was distracted into the office at this crucial time. The view from that seat at my suggested 150M must be, erm, spectacular.