jesbowman
Forget Jeremy Pratt. The UK ANO determines the rules relating to UK JAR PPLs. That document places the "in sight of surface" restriction on a PPL. [Schedule 8 Section 1 c(iii) for UK PPLs and Section 2 2b(iii) for UK-issued JAR PPLs]
Keef
No. UK VFR is basically the same as everybody else with only slightly different numbers, and most importantly it includes the ability to fly above a solid layer (or out of sight of surface if you prefer). It is a *licence* restriction as cited above, not some variation in the definition of VMC that gives rise to this conversation.
This is why, regardless of the slightly different definitions of VMC across Europe, the UK JAR PPL holder must always fly in sight of the surface.