I think you're mixing keeping you licence valid vs keeping your IR valid....These are 2 seperate issues...you can have a valid licence without an IR. You can put any a/c you want on your licence regardless of the status of your IR, or even if you have an IR or not.
I wonder if and when we get things organised if it will be better to approach EASA rather than the morons at LGW?
The thread on Fragrant Harbour mentions that the 1.185 ruling has not been interpreted by the UK CAA as JAR intended. JAR-FCL intended that the 7 year rule apply to pilots who had not kept their rating/skills valid in any way. It was not intended to penalise pilots in the likes of EK, Cathay and SQ etc. who kept current.
More to follow...