Hi utnik.
Sorry but I'm using 1.4.3 (on OSX) and the problem hasn't been fixed, it's just been changed.
Here's a workflow to try:
* Create shape.
* Select "Horizontal Gradient"
* Drag left-hand stop to middle.
* Add new stop to the left of the middle stop.
* New left-hand stop can't be dragged away, but…
* Drag middle stop to the left of the left-hand stop.
* Left stop can be now dragged away.
And the same happens when you do the same as above but on the right instead.
So you still can't know whether a stop can be dragged away without trying it. Therefore, to me, the problem still exists.
I agree with you that all stops should be removable until you're down to two. That would make much more sense.
(P.S. I can live with this too, it just might be annoying for people who don't know what's happening.)