portsharbourflyer
That is my understanding... my previous explanation was poor... but I was more thinking on the actual question that started this thread.
We do not receive many questions from students in that situation anymore so it was more a rhetorical question.
I believe there is no question about the implications of holding a UK licence and wanting to obtain an EASA licence, even if it was obtained when the UK was still part of EASA... and would provably have the EASA stamp on it. My understanding (and I might be wrong...) is that it will be considered as any other ICAO licence. I would also agree that it is extremely odd that a licence obtained passing the EASA ATPL exams are now required to retake those exams... but that is what I believe needs to be done. I am reading comments about changes in this matter but have not received confirmation from our CAA (or EASA) so cannot comment on that
Brexit in aviation is bringing more difficulties to both the UK and EASA... I don't think we all needed this specially when we have Covid to deal with