There was a King Air crash near Stapleford the other week. That aircraft also launched into poor weather and the jury is still out regarding cause.
We all know the risks involved punching into IMC, regardless of ground obstacle issues. I'll speculate that had GLBAL launched into the same conditions but trying to follow a specified IFR departure profile (i.e. SID), the outcome may well have been the same.
As previously said, they didn't break the (European) law and the aircraft they were operating was quite capable of a zero-vis departure. This argument is actually about decision making (TEM) and handling skills.
PS, like Shy, I spend much of my life SP IFR aerial work (albeit fixed wing) and in this environment you've got to be on your game because there is little else to protect you.