Chilli Monster, why do you think an IFR pilot needs to stay current while (apparently) a VFR pilot doesn't need to?
At no time did I mention VFR currency, doesn't mean to say it isn't necessary. IFR skills however go off the boil quicker than VFR, especially in the Class 'G', single pilot IFR environment that lots of UK pilots are forced to fly in. (As opposed to the "hand held" Class 'A' domain of the IR).
A VFR pilot has far fewer options than an IFR-capable pilot, and may have to resort to really daft and dangerous things (like scud running) to stay legal.
Or he could have resorted to stay on the ground, or turned back, or diverted in VMC. Resorting to the above is, as you say, daft and dangerous.