Sure, that's why I can't say for sure if it actually happened or not.

People are not readily able to believe my experiences either (though, the political narrative is opening up to the potential for sympathy? I'm not sure).

These policies come in waves. The 90s in the UK was very "PC" as we'd say. I don't necessarily believe that all diversity initiatives happened in the 2010's and onwards.

That said, you're totally right nobody can truly know except him and who he spoke to. A sibling commenter mentioned that it could be a mealy mouthed middle manager trying to ascribe blame to $women for his own decisions; which I totally buy, even for my own scenarios to be honest with you.