@jcj:
Well yes - that does not mean that potential technical failures were not considered prior to that press statement however. We know they brought up the avionics compartment - all such a statement would mean is that they didn't find anything wrong besides the pitot tubes. It doesn't therefore follow that they didn't check.
What we do have is:
- The PNF calling out "Alternate Law" - which means ECAM was working
- The Captain indicating all three ADIs (horizon) - which means they were working
- Multiple altitude call-outs during the descent - which means the altimeters were working
This would seem to indicate that the idea they were in a dead flight deck with no displays is a non-starter.