My question is this, how can EasyJet claim force majeure (thereby dodging the EEC compensation legislation) as a reason to cancel when other airlines

So true they seem to be just out to decieve. How about my sons flight then - cancelled their out going flight and refunded but the return leg, some 214 Euros for the return on the 1st jan they refuse to refund as that will fly they say. I am so lucky that Ryan Air fly from Alicante and I so avoid most of Easy jets deceiptful way of doing business. I say this because I was flying Ryan Air to Gatwick at a similar time to Easy jets inability to fly and they behaved with honesty and very few delays for my flight. I suggest you fly with anyone other than easy jet in the future.