Downing Street outs British-Pakistani whistleblower as gay to sabotage Brexit claims

Shahmir Sanni believes outing endangered his life and that of his family in Pakistan, left them scrambling for safety

A political campaigner with Pakistani roots has accused the office of the prime minster of United Kingdom (UK) for outing him as 'gay' in a fight over tactics for the referendum to exit the European Union, according to Mirror Online.

Shahmir Sanni has released a statement through his lawyer, claiming that his family back in Pakistan was unaware of the nature of his sexuality, which is sensitive topic in the country.

He also said that the comments which caused the problem came from Stephen Parkinson, a close advisor to premier Theresa May, and had put Sanni's family members in danger.

It had been earlier reported that Sanni was set to blow the whistle over allegations that some people part of the Brexit campaign had breached electoral roles during the referendum.

In response, Stephen Parkinson, one of the May's closest advisers, gave a comment in which he said he had been in an 18-month relationship with Sanni before splitting "amicably" in September 2017.

"That is the capacity in which I gave Shahmir advice and encouragement, and I can understand if the lines became blurred for him, but I am clear that I did not direct the activities of any separate campaign groups," Parkinson had said.

"I had no responsibility for digital campaigning or donations during the referendum, and am confident that Vote Leave acted entirely within the law and strict spending rules at all times."

Responding to his comments, Sanni released a furious statement through his solicitors.

"We believe this is the first time a Downing Street official statement has been used to 'out' someone," the statement reads.

"My client is now having to come out to his mother and family tonight, and members of his family in Pakistan are being forced to take urgent protective measures to ensure their safety,'" it adds.

Sanni himself remarked that "It's sad that Stephen feels he can't tell the truth about cheating in the referendum."

"I think he understands why I had to do the right thing and let people know what really happened."

"But I never imagined that he, with the help of Number 10, would choose to tell the world I am gay, in a last desperate attempt to scare me," he said.

"This is something I've never told most of my friends or family, here or in Pakistan, some of whom are having to take measures to ensure their safety. He knew the danger it would cause, and that's why he did it," Sanni concluded.

This article originally appeared on Mirror Online