If you had a valid IR while bimbling, then I don't see why not.
My comment is directed at non-IR holders who could fly IFR in the UK, as long as they maintained VMC, remained OCAS and complied with a few other rules. In fact, that kind of IFR was the only way you could fly at night if you did not have an IR or IMC.
As EASA-FCL now clearly states that you can only operate under IFR if you have an IR or EIR, I can't imagine they intend to let those UK-style non-IR IFR hours count towards license (*) conversion.
(*) Spelled as "license" since you are converting a US license to an EASA licence.
