I've heard about this happening. ALLEGEDLY, there is one controller on TC Mids who refuses to allow clacton (and therefore Maastricht) any directs.
It has been complained about from the area side but as I understand it, the controller isn't technically doing anything wrong and therefore not much can be done. I'm sure though that if enough pilots alert their ops departments that it is happening, then external pressure may result in something being done.
From what I've heard its embarrasing for the Claction controllers to have to not allow directs because one person in another room is on a misguided one man mission. Fingers crossed it will get sorted out soon.
Must stress, that it is only one person and the rest of TC are very helpful in sorting directs out.