SET(M) std service - sponsor to provide passport copy or original?

Hi - we just submitted the SET(M) for my spouse under the 5 year route with the standard service. When completing the form online there is a pop up message that says the the sponsor (myself) can send passport photocopies but after completing the application, the document checklist states that any passports required must be originals.
I rang the UKVI and spoke to 4 different people on two different days, two people said I can send my passport copy and it has always been like this, the other two people said to send the passport original.
Can anyone please advise?
Thank you very much

Copies of the British passport are fine.

Thanks. If the original passport from the sponsor is required instead of copies could they reject the application for this reason?
The checklist states if all mandatory information is not provided the application would be rejected.

cbc3 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 07, 2019 8:53 am

Thanks. If the original passport from the sponsor is required instead of copies could they reject the application for this reason?

No. Many, myself included, only submitted copies. You are perhaps overthinking the process.

Thank you so much!