Thanks for the continued input guys.
Paco, what would constitute operational reasons?
Rudestuff, I definitely haven't given up yet, just trying to narrow down viable options. I definitely will be doing the SEIR instead of MEIR with no intention to do the MEP course for now due to the reasons you mentioned and this has been my plan for a while. What you mention about hour building abroad is reassuring, I will definitely look into it but feel it could be close either way as I still need to get a medical sorted. But then maybe not every ICAO aviation authority is as inefficient as the UK CAA.
Council Van, the issues that have grounded me arose well after starting my ATPLs. So I would have passed the Class 1 had I applied before I started the ground school and then been grounded all the same later on.