As for the competition with Easyjet, I wouldn't have thought BA would be too concerned with Easyjet having a monopoly over LGW short-haul would they? After all, Gatwick is primarily a O/D leisure airport, it will not have much impact on their core business at Heathrow.
I wouldn't be so sure of that. easyJet has built up such a presence at LGW (including 45% of slots during the "first wave" of early morning departures for out-and-back-in-a-day business travellers) that it appears to be impacting BA short-haul at LHR.