When you consider that the whole of The Times's article was based on a Newsnight report you begin to realise the tenuous nature of what is being reported as "fact". Lots of kites being flown to try and trigger a reaction.
If RN Wildcat is withdrawn I think that will leave the T45 without a helicopter as I don't believe Merlin has a clearance for T45 without the ship shutting all transmitters off.