Thinking about this further, if SVFR clearances were being issued, that would indicate that the weather conditions were below those that would permit ATC to issue a VFR clearance, normally visibility less than 5km.
If the pilot did not hold any instrument qualifications, then he would require a minimum visibility of 10km to accept a SVFR clearance. Was he not already operating outside the limits of his licence in accepting the SVFR clearance?