I can speculate that it was easier to document all shareholders having to sell than to carve out an exemption for the Co-Op.
It would be good to see this confirmed.
Alternatively perhaps Mr Stott doesn't want to have to justify himself. That would not be good
I suspect also that the Co-op thinks that it can't comment because of its NDA. It should seek permission from Stott to be able to communicate to the members. We don't want financial details. Just the broad brush view of the Co-Op's involvement.