Yes, but is it normal for a work of such importance by a mathematician so respected (which would presumably have publications fighting for it) to be apparently

Yes, but is it normal for a work of such importance by a mathematician so respected (which would presumably have publications fighting for it) to be apparently publishable - especially after such contention as to its validity - only in a journal he is associated with? And let's be clear, by "associated with", we mean chief editor. I was actually careful to exclude that particular job title from my OP to avoid the unfairness you are implying in my initial summary. However, your point is correct in ordinary situations. This is no ordinary situation.