A migrant who was granted asylum in Britain after saying he was gay has admitted he left behind a wife and child in his homeland of Cameroon.

Marius Kamna, 35, arrived in the UK from Cameroon on a temporary visa to attend a United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow, he applied for refugee protection, saying he was gay. He later settled in Wales and got a job of a heavy goods vehicle mechanic.

However, it later emerged that Kamna had a wife and child in Cameroon but chose not to tell the authorities.

Despite the revelation, Kamna says that his situation is more complex, explaining that he has “always been gay” and that his marriage in Cameroon was an attempt to escape homophobia in his home country.

Cameroon is known for its harsh treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, with discrimination, stigma, and legal penalties still common. Kamna at first described himself as bisexual. He later corrected that statement: “No, that’s not true, I am gay. That is the way I’ve been since I was 15 or 16.” Kamna said he spent years ‘being in the closet.’

Kamna said his marriage was arranged in Cameroon to win back the respect of his parents, who had disowned him when they discovered his sexuality. “I got chased out of the house by my parents and to earn back their respect a marriage was arranged,” he said.

He said he asked for forgiveness and even paid an official a bribe to complete the marriage paperwork. Although he is gay, Kamna admitted he went through with the marriage, which led to the birth of his son, Emanuel, who is now seven.

Even though he has not seen his son since leaving Cameroon, Kamna said he stays in touch by phone and sends money to his child’s mother to support him. Kamna added that when he was invited to the Glasgow conference, he saw a chance to stay in Britain legally and start a new life, even if it meant leaving his family behind.

Kamna added that his current partner is a gay man from Africa, and he is happy living in Britain.