I heard through the grape vine that an examiner was turning away Instrument applicants because they did not have 50 hrs XC AFTER they received their PPL. That is, in reviewing the requirements for XC PIC time toward the instrument rating (61.65, d), he ignored all the XC PIC time logged during the applicant's training for the PPL.

The applicants already had their PPL and over 50 hrs XC PIC in the book.

Thoughts? Is this examiner right/within his rights?