Spot the scapegoat
I would caution everyone against speculating who actually made the final decision to try and make a scapegoat of Spot - the trial starts Monday and all the facts will eventually emerge, one way or another.
I understand Spot has an outstanding legal team to represent him and they will certainly ensure that all the details of why this sad, and totally unecessary prosecution was considered necessary, finally emerge.
Either way, everyone involved will end up losing. The RAF's image and reputation is going to take a very severe battering, for no return whatsoever. Spot has already suffered more than any of us can possibly imagine and, whatever the outcome, will go on suffering for the remainder of his life.
Spot, draw strength from the support of the entire Ops Spt (ATC) branch. Nobody I know believes any good whatsoever can come of this mis-guided prosecution and we will all watch how events unfold, and the reactions of the 'airships', with great interest. Their reaction to the outcome will certainly influence how RAF controllers approach their duties in the years to come.