But rules are rules and if I made an exception for British Airways and forgave such failings, then I’d have to do it for every airline.
But if rules are rules, why should British Airways make an exception for you?
As you're no different from any other non-BA passenger presenting themselves at the lounge on the strength of a higher-tier OW membership, if BA were to make an exception for you, wouldn't they have to do it for every other passenger in your position?
Or is it that rules are rules when you make them, but when other people make rules they are required to relax them to accommodate you?