Just had a call from UK Embassy in Manila offering deep apologies and conceding every flaw exposed, and also thanking me for presenting it as a flow chart with screenshots.

That said I made it very clear that my experience, plus what I have read about VFS, means that in the interests of justice for all I wish to pursue them until I'm satisfied that significant changes in the way they conduct themselves are implemented. Accordingly still interested in hearing any stories where VFS have been unreasonable.