1. Shambles - when he is acting as a fellow poster, Joe is as entitled as you or I to speculate, as much or little as he wants to, about whatever does or does not take his fancy.

2. I require no evidence beyond the fact that Joe has told me that he has given all the information he is permitted to give. Whilst that might be called 'hearsay', I really don't care enough to contact Max myself and have Joe's statement proven or otherwise. Plus, I am persuaded that, on the balance of probabilities, this seems to be a likely truth (if I needed persuading).

3. You ask me what harm the ending of public speculation would do. I really don't think that there is any public speculation on the subject. The phrase 'Public speculation' suggests that a number of people are asking the same questions or, indeed, speculating as to what the answers to those questions might be. There is no 'number of people' from where I am standing - just you. If you really want to end your own speculation, ask Max - he might tell you, he might not! I really don't care.

I have bigger things to worry about in my life - be thankful that you, obviously, don't!