For the last fifty –odd years I have found myself in the awkward/enviable position (depending on your stance) of being a huge admirer of the works and performance of BOTH Ewan MacColl and Bob Dylan. Right back in 1964 when MacColl made the first, that I had read, unbridled attack on Dylan via a Melody Maker interview with Karl Dallas while I didn't agree with him it did not alter my opinion of him as a singer, songwriter and performer. Since then I have seen him on numerous occasions and booked him three times at my club; I always found him to be the consummate professional and entirely approachable. I have also learned a valuable amount of songs from his singing.
I too am continually saddened by the vicious attacks made against him on this forum and elsewhere; usually made by those who had little or no connection with the man; in fact Jim I may well have supported you in his defence over the years.
In Dylan's defence in this matter he has never uttered a sentence in response either for or against MacColl; although in one of his earlier poems he does laud A.L.Lloyd!