Nothing has been suspended. There are specific caseworker teams dealing with specific routes in the UKVI. When we are talking about capacity, that is the capacity we are talking about. SET(O) is a different and more popular route to SET(LR) and has a different team dealing with the applications which may be larger. One team may or may not be able to process priority applications as they may be operating at capacity. Because your friend is getting a level of service does not mean you should get the same under a different route
The advice given in that link stands.
Advice is given based on my personal research and experience only. Do NOT contact me via private message for immigration advice