I think what the problem was is that originally this thread was set so that only Admin, mods and any special groups could actually start a thread in this section.
However now that OF is 'helpful' (same would have applied to the ISP reps and Respected members) then it allowed him to start a topic in here.
... and somehow along with those permissions it also allowed him to delete any posts in the thread that he'd started.
Since it was only the announcement section that had different permissions, and because OF had actually started the thread.. thats why only in this sectionand on this particular occasion it allowed him some moderating powers.
Ive now changed this section so that it now has the same permissions as elsewhere in the forums.
Thanks for letting me know