A gay man seeking asylum in the UK has had to supply the government with "intimate photographs with his partner and support letters from gay friends" in order to prove that he is gay.

The man, 30-year-old Valerie Ediage, has reportedly lived in the UK for six years with his partner, who is a citizen, after fleeing homophobic persecution in his home country Cameroon, where homosexuality is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Now, the government has threatened him with deportation and demanded proof that he'll face "persecution, inhumane or degrading treatment" if he is sent back to Cameroon.

"In the UK I live freely," he told the BBC. "I go to Gay Pride... gay pubs - you can't in Cameroon. You fear prosecution and torture."

Ediage, who also volunteers at a support group for gay people in Coventry, said he "lived in fear" in Cameroon and feels his life would be at risk if he returned.

"They [the Home Office] say I haven't given them sufficient evidence but I have given them everything," he said, adding that he's asked friends and family to lobby on his behalf.

"Valerie has been a committed member of our community in Coventry," said Aimee Challenor, equality spokesman for the Green Party.

She added: "He has been instrumental in setting a LGBT migrant support group in Coventry, he has attended Pride parades in Birmingham….I cannot see how the Government has made this decision."