Passport demanded by Home Office but family holiday planned

Feeling so upset.
My husband applied for citizenship back in Spring and with no restrictions that I could see we booked a family holiday to Greece. He’s had the Schengen visa approved and we’re due to fly on Monday 13th. But today he got an email saying he needs to send his Zimbabwean passport to Liverpool by 18th or his application will be rejected. They won’t be able to return it for him to have it to travel. He called them and they said there isn’t a way round.
This feels completely wrong. Our family will miss our first summer holiday together, we’ll lose all the cost of the holiday and it doesn’t seem even travel insurance will pay out.
Any similar experiences, or light at the end of the tunnel?

The Home Office / UKVI can and does request original documents as they see fit.

You may want to consider re-applying for BC if the loss of the holiday costs would be higher than the BC application fee.

If you don't send passport the application will be refused so upto you what's most important for you BC or holidays

Thanks everyone.
We decided to cancel the family holiday (big kudos to the holiday firm who let us carry our payment over to a holiday next year instead at £150pp)
It’s just a real pain. I guess you live and learn.
Thanks again