Reply #69: The British couldn't take that chance

[Zuni]

and I believe the ships were under Admiral Darlan at the time, and he was a shady opportunist. He supported the Axis until the allies gave him a better offer. Then he became an ally just before Torch and turned his forces from Vichy to Allied. at the time Eisenhower would rather have a sleazebag on his side than as an enemy, despite the outcry in the press at the darlan deal.
It was military expiediency that made the allies work with darlan, not personal choice.