Hi, thanks for the posts. I've approached the ATUC and have an appropriately recorded (for my personal recall) log of the advice I received .

I spoke to a representative who categorically stated BA had not supplied sufficient information to determine an exemption or not.

The representative posed two routes of action. Pass it to them and they could request the same information as I requested through 'back channels', (they stated they had a five-month waiting list) or I could request the information myself again and failing a response, try the small claims court.

BA may well have experienced 'extraordinary circumstances' but 241/2004 obliges BA not to keep it secret and I'm quite happy to pay the court fee to find out definitively what went on. I very much doubt if I'll be liable for any expenses as BA has disregarded all my reasonable requests for disclosure.