Double Bogey the fixed wing (sorry I know this is Rotorheads) fixation with IFR was all about delivering the service from a clear air base (VFR) to a clear air area of need (VFR) through mucky weather (IFR) but somewhere along the way the basics got lost. That police air support is not a IFR task at the point of delivery is a long held truth but when you are trying to sell it to get the £10M funding four aircraft from people who do not understand such things the truth may get a little bent. In this case it most certainly did.
The world can stand aghast at what arguments will next be put forward to fund the use of [rotary] BVLOS drones. That will be a real loaded gun because no one will perceive that getting it wrong will kill people.