AdamF
You really only need to read the posts again - from the start.
Put simply again:
In the UK you CAN fly IFR without and IR or IMCR in VMC.
IFR does not mean you ARE in IMC.
You CANNOT fly in IMC (day or night) without an IR or IMCR.
So you CAN fly at night IFR in VMC without an IR or IMCR.
You CANNOT fly at night in IMC WITHOUT an IR or IMCR.
AT night regardless of the met conditions (VMC or IMC) you ARE IFR.