A Cameroonian man granted asylum in the United Kingdom after claiming he is gay has come under scrutiny after revealing he left behind a wife and child in his home country.

The man, Marius Kamna, 35, reportedly arrived in the UK on a temporary visa to attend a United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow in 2021. He later applied for asylum, citing fears of persecution in Cameroon due to his sexual orientation, and was subsequently granted refugee status.

According to reports shared via the Daily Mail official X account, Kamna did not disclose during his asylum process that he had a wife and child in Cameroon, a revelation that has sparked debate over the credibility of some asylum claims based on sexual orientation.

Responding to the controversy, Kamna insisted that he is gay, explaining that his marriage was a façade intended to shield him from widespread homophobia in his home country.

He said he was pressured into the marriage after facing rejection from his family due to his sexuality, adding that it was an attempt to regain acceptance and avoid persecution.

“I lived a lie for years,” he said, describing his move to the UK as an opportunity to finally live openly.

Kamna acknowledged that the marriage was consummated and resulted in the birth of his son, now seven years old. Although he has not seen the child since leaving Cameroon, he said he maintains contact and provides financial support.

Now based in the UK, Kamna works as a heavy goods vehicle mechanic and lives in Wales. He said he has also faced accusations within the migrant community that he misrepresented his sexuality—claims he denies.

He further dismissed rumours that he has another wife and child in the UK, attributing them to what he described as a “whispering campaign” among acquaintances. He explained that a woman frequently seen visiting him is a friend who supports members of the Cameroonian community.

Kamna added that he recently relocated from Cardiff to Newport due to tensions with neighbours.

The case has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding asylum claims based on sexual orientation, particularly for individuals from countries where same-sex relationships are criminalised.

In Cameroon, same-sex relationships are illegal, and members of the LGBTQ+ community often face legal penalties, social stigma, and discrimination.