Brompton plastic spindle cover thing? Purpose?
 

Does anyone know what purpose the plastic nut cover on the front left spindle has?
Obviously I assume it was to stop the nut hitting the rear triangle when folded, but as far as I can see, the front mudguard stay stops happening by resting on the chain guard. So I was thinking of taking it off, unless someone can tell advise its purpose on the bike? Thx

On the B group I read it is indeed for preventing the axle from hitting the chain stay during folding. There was advice to stop it from falling off by drilling two holes outside that flange and securing it with a cable tie in such a way that it can be removed when needing to remove the front wheel.

I wrapped the chainstay with innertube and tape.