This wasn't a public statement. It was an email to colleagues. "Let's not comment" is, I think, the default position of PR departments everywhere on everything

This wasn't a public statement. It was an email to colleagues. "Let's not comment" is, I think, the default position of PR departments everywhere on everything unless there is a crisis or a marketing campaign going on. Throwing fuel on a fire isn't wise unless you want there to be a fire.