I seriously question the competence of a station manager(s) who was unable to beg, borrow or steal a suitable tow-bar from either LHR, FRA or AMS and have it loaded into the hold of the next commercial flight, should have had one in EDI within 2-3 hours (been there, done that).
Absence of gumption, though duty hours may perhaps have been a factor.
Piss poor performance all round, I'd say.