Threatening to delete domains for political reasons is “restrained”? I hate brexit probably as much as everyone here, but the institution of the EU has not come out of this any better than the Tory government.
This news was a surprise to me, but I wouldn't be further surprised if this procedure is explained in rules that the UK had a hand in drafting.
I don't see why the EU should show goodwill when every day the British politician tell them to go f%^& themselves. At some point they expect goodwill before extending it.