Thank you for the reply.
It cannot be a point of sale issue as my conversation was via phone to the UK Gold Exec line (+44 country code) and Mauritius does not have a Gold Exec call centre.
Also the point of departure for the award flight is LGW so i find it surprising that BA says nothing is available. The POS is UK (both the BA transacting agent and the departure airport). I will try to call them again.
thank you