He has played that game for a while as these things just happen to be happening around him. He is a facilitator for Microsoft with respect to having their way with standards. If he avoids the technical debates, all the more reason he shouldn't be there. Yet somehow they object when whatwg characterizes a removal as being politically motivated.
Notwithstanding the history of Microsoft's engagement with Web standards, I think Paul has been doing a fine job and I can't really say a word against him.