I did!! He told me it had to be SEP with a JAR instructor. Nothing else would do.
Schedule 8 Part C Section 2 2(b)(ii)(aa)
All single-engine piston aeroplane class ratings (land) and all touring
motor glider ratings – Revalidation
For revalidation of single-pilot single-engine piston aeroplane (land) class ratings and/or touring motor glider class ratings the applicant shall on singleengine piston aeroplanes (land) and/or touring motor gliders satisfy the requirements specified in paragraph 1.245(c)(1) of JAR–FCL 1.
1.245(c)(1) says
(C) a training flight of at least one hour’s duration with a FI(A) or CRI(A). This flight may be replaced by any other proficiency check or skill test [ ].
If the CAA is interpreting this as a proficiency check or skill test
in an SEP (like what? for an IR?) then the rules have been changed without consultation with stakeholders since the JAR-FCL system was introduced.