After following Led Zeppelin most of my 50 years, the major conclusion that I have reached about Plant is that he is insecure and says mean things because of it. He has been talking in sarcastic/humourous/cheeky code for so long that he is almost impossible to take seriously. It's really sad to me because he is so brilliant and easily my favorite singer. I think Robert has a heart somewhere underneath that hurt and we catch glimpses of it once in a while. Plant was dismissive toward Jones many, many times over the years and we all know that Robert hides behind "taking the piss". Why a guy with his talent behaves that way? Robert can rearrange the tunes and act any way he wants but Led Zeppelin defines him as an artist. I wish to God he would embrace that. They were the best band to ever set foot on a stage and that's why we are talking about this subject.
I think the thread is a false premise because Jones was never meant to be invited, btw.