FFF, were you being true to form your point:
To fly IFR in most of the world requires an IR. In the UK it doesn't, but you do need an IR or an IMC rating to fly in IMC.
Needs the qualification "In the UK
outside CAS it doesn't..."
With a further clarification then that a valid IMC rating extends that privilege into Class D within the UK/IOM.
(And before any pedants start, I cannot find any Class "D" in CI)