[the_answers]

The HM's were told that the lowest amount would be deducted from the prize fund.

He figured correctly that the other HM's would choose "unity" in their selections.

What he failed to do was to question whether they would REALLY give £88,800 or deduct £88,800 from the £100K leaving a relative pittance ?

I mean come on this is secrets and lies here...

To be fair I don't blame him for going for it whatsoever.
I actually feel quite sorry for him.

Just think he should have realised this and he should have been a bit smarter really...