Re: "it's a matter of principle"
Precisely: from their point of view, they did nothing wrong that they should apologize for — not to the UK. It's like somebody coming up to you saying: I saw you being rude to that other guy, now pay me £10.
Precisely: from their point of view, they did nothing wrong that they should apologize for — not to the UK. It's like somebody coming up to you saying: I saw you being rude to that other guy, now pay me £10.