I could then have reported him visual and the controller would then have been able to get him through without the requirement for 5nm separation - "ABC123 traffic in your 2 o'clock 3 miles 500 feet below working this unit has you visual" or something of the sort.
NS
It's not quiet that simple, you reporting visual with traffic does not absolve the controller from getting standard separation under RAS - if the IFR traffic is visual and happy to continue that's a different matter. One problem is that it may be a gin clear day but some companies insist on RAS in the open FIR.
Regards
Pie