All this talk about stuff being edited out makes no difference, what went out and was seen by however many watchers
Of course it makes a difference, and a huge one as well. I grant Mark Lloyd with altogether more intelligence and knowledge of this particular problem than how the edited commentary and images portrayed.
There were very important points such as the dropped court case ( did that have anything to do with this letter being sent?)
No, the Court case failed long before the letter to the BCU. The plaintiff was advised to wholly revise or withdraw as his case had no legal standing.
if its not legal I don't want them where I fish winter/closed season or not.
On this point you and I do agree.
That said, we (anglers that is) have to be seen to be reasonable in our stance and negotiations prior to the Court's determination.
Notwithstanding, I would personally prefer to see a far more determined position being adopted by the Angling Trust as our first line of defence/attack.