Hi Pringle 1.
No, I have not resolved it yet.
The opinion, backed by some pretty knowledgeable guys on PPRuNe seems to be that so long as you do not allow an interval of 7 years lapse between IR renewals then your UK National ATPL Exam Theory remains valid.
I initially raised this with the UK CAA, then EASA then through MEPs. The MEP route is still ongoing.
Seemingly there are many pilots in our situation and that no National CAA seems to have squared this issue with EASA however, so long as you have a valid JAR licence with an IR that has not expired by more than 7 years, you are "safe".
I - like you - need this in writing, in laymans terms and not regurgitated in LASORS/Legal speak.
See also the thread started by Exercises 1 to 19 too - similar issue.
I will update this thread as info comes in.