I don't think the meter fitter could have removed the two pole isolator without disturbing the outgoing tails and that could have loosened connections etc.  Leaving the final connection to the isolator to the customer's electrician puts the onus on them to ensure that the installation is safe and compliant.  40 years ago the meter fitter would have done some basic tests on the installation such as polarity and insulation and earthing but the world has changed and electricians are now responsible for signing off their work.  The provision of isolators makes for a clear boundary and removes the need to coordinate attendance but can lead to messy looking installations like this too.

If the cut out had been fitted to the left a bit that would have enabled a tidier installation but that was fitted by the DNO......... with not enough thought for what comes afterwards.

Jonathan,

Thank you. I have found the MOCoP, which is useful. I see that a meter should be positioned between 0.5 m and 1.8 m [6.1.(b)] so there is no reason why it could not have been positioned level with the switch fuse.

Appendix 9, para 2: "The MEM or DNO shall only connect a new Customer’s circuit provided it is clearly and unambiguously identified at the end to be connected, either by colour or marking (e.g. L, L1, L2, L3, N) in accordance with the current version of BS 7671."

I cannot see any identification on the L2 and L3 tails, so I agree that the operative was entitled not to connect them and arguably, was prohibited from doing so. I do not think that it is a matter of polarity, but phase rotation which is the problem.