1) Yes he did. In the letter he wrote to Whelan he stated "For people from the North of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different." He's making a political point, a bad one at that.1) he didn't raise the political objection - he didn't wear one everyone got their knickers in a twist and he gave reasons - it was not a overt political act.
2) you can be against the historical actions of a country and not want to pay homage to those causing them while not against the current country.
3). If he did hate the country what better way for him to legally "get one over" than take as much money from the country as possible.
4). I am sure he is sorry that his (supposed) political objection upsets you snowflake.
2) Historical? Last time I checked Londonderry is still in the UK. I'd say that the occupation of what someone like MacLean would consider "Ireland" is well and truly current.
3) A nice theory, but it falls apart when that person has to live and work with those people.
4) I don't care what he thinks. If I did, I'd be finding a way to let him know. I just think he's a clam.