WP Gap?

[Wanderer]

I'm posting this on behalf of a colleague at work, basically;

He was on WP via large Indian Software co.

They apply for WP extensions, on the last one there was a problem, the old 'wrong debit card number' one, and the app was delayed. Was applied for on time but took one month and six days to sort out, so on advise from HO he left the country.

He actually had HSMP approval so he applied for EC on that with no problems.

His WP expired 16th Dec 2007, he left UK on 17th Jan. He was questioned at the airport but the supevisor waved him through with no stamps, IS wotnots.

He's gettng his SAR, but what do you think are the chances of this gap being overlooked? He was one more year for ILR.