Naomi - // andy-hughes, courtesy costs nothing and, as far as I'm aware, isn't illegal. //
You are absolutely right, of course.
Which simply increases my view, that the solicitor is remaining silent either due to legal restraints, or at the request of his clients, and that is correct behaviour however much we, or indeed he, may not like it.
This man, by definition, is not stupid, so it must have occured to him that if it is in his power to answer some simple questions, and keep the approbation of high-minded strangers off him, then that would be the simple thing to do.
The fact that he has failed thus far to do so inplies to me that he is constrained by either the law, or his client, and I repeat, that is the correct action for him to take.
He must live with the harsh judgement of internet deciders who wouldn't know him if they fell over him, but still feel they have to condemn him for what they perceive to be his bad behaviour, however wide of the mark they may be.