What a can of worms.
The upshot of all of this is that someone got MOR'ed because we ATCOs don't really know what the legal fuel requirements are. Maybe we should? However, I would add that if I had been INT FIN I may have done the same because I consider an aircraft not being able fly a go around due to low fuel to be an UNACCEPTABLE occurance. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME RIGHT. This does make me cautious and concerned that maybe this is an issue that sholud be addressed. As someone sage earlier pointed out, one ahead blows a tyre, you could have all the spacing in the world but if you ain't got the fuel to go around once...
I know all the controllers on here harp on about fam flights (cos everyone's got a mate in FACT!!) but surely the understanding of pilots point of view and ours would be served greatly by sitting down face to face over a Club meal (or a pint) and discussing it. We're all working for the common aim (aren't we) and this is something that we could settle by talking to each other.
That said, maybe our old chum Steve V from the US of A has got a point when he mentioned the low fuel warning. I know someone abused the issue at EGLL, but in this day and age of cutting back on fuel and accountability in the event of an emergency (for us too), couldn't this help even if a few kn*bheads out there try and get a freebie?
P7