Jambo,
Not sure what P2 has added to the debate...
After a morning looking through PANSOPS and the UK AIP, I can only conclude that, from a legalistic point of view, the question simply isn't addressed. There is no legal answer to the question. That means that it can only be answered from a safety p.o.v.
Saint's experience may simply have been that these were IR rules rather than IF Procedural ones.
If that is the case, and always provided ATC are happy and you remain above MSA until established - I deduce it is OK!