MungoP,
Sorry to hear that, they must be taking a leaf out of the CASA book.
See:
§ 91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.
(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
(c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.
The current (pale imitation) version of the above rule FAR 91.3(b) has been removed from new CASA draft Part 91. As I previously posted, the PIC will have to prove justifications for his or her actions after the event, and we all know about Monday morning quarterbacks.
Down here, aviationwise, a good working rule is: "No good deed ever goes unpunished".
International operators note, these rules apply to you in Australian national airspace, ie: inside the 12 mile limit.
Tootle pip!!