Gaughan is essentially saying Pep has already made his decision but isn’t letting on to it just yet. He is saying internal conversations have advanced past what Pep has said publicly. If that isn’t true then it should be refuted.
The commutations folks on staff are paid to deal directly with this stuff. It is their main job they should have plenty of time to issue a statement.
No he's not. He is saying there is an expectation (amongst who he doesn't specify) that Pep will not extend.
I believe Pep on this one. He doesn’t say shit just for the sake of it.