Hi GerardC,
why is such a smart AP/FD system unable to maintain for a few seconds the average pitch of, say, the past 5 or 10", until the proper ECAM alert message is displayed ?
I would go further and ask why it could not simply remain in some "ATT"itude where it would maintain pitch and bank as selected by the pilot with no protections. (CWS)
It would have given them more time to comprehend their status without having to struggle to maintain wings level. (I've still not flown in ALT Law at cruise FLs despite 7 years on A320s - and I don't think this crew had either)