I have only ever had negative dealings with the Echo,so i can only speak from past experience.
However, i think until we do get Mr Cortese' side,if we ever do and there may well be good reason he does not wish to comment further but that does not have to be detrimental to the reasons why he stays quiet, ,judgement has to be reserved with regard to his standing on the matter.
I do believe the reference,in the aforementioned article, to Lowe was completely inflammatory and unessesary on the Echos' part.