( at the risk of being made to look stupid)
If you are IMC or IR rated (and in controlled airspace) can you fly VFR at 2000ft and be absolved of the need to be in sight of the surface? I realise that outside CAS this is only permitted above 3000ft MSL or 1000ft above the SFC, whichever is higher.
Based on this, could it be that his clearance was "not below 2000ft". And in fact he was VFR "on top"?
waiting to be corrected 