It is apparent from the Guardian's story that the objective was to punt the guy using any means necessary (also, it is clear that some BBC executives do not understand that stuff they say in emails can come back to bite them):
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/aug/07/sacked-bbc-technology-chief-wins-unfair-dismissal-john-linwood
Biting the hand that feeds IT
