That is just as "illegal" as "maneuvering"! What makes a "turn" below minimums any more "legal" than "maneuvering" above minimums? By THEIR criteria, they are maneuvering INSIDE the no-circling zone, BELOW MINIMUMS! By YOUR criteria, you are maneuvering OUTSIDE the no-circling zone, ABOVE minimums! Who are these imbeciles?!?
"Best not to go there" REALLY means best not to be working for, or flying on, that company! The "I'm right because I say so, and I don't need substantiation" attitude is DANGEROUS!!! What company is it?