DOWNING STREET was rocked by claims one of Theresa May's closest aides "outed" a whistle-blower as gay in a row over cheating in the Brexit referendum.

No10 Political Secretary Stephen Parkinson was fighting for his job after Leave campaigner Shahmir Sanni made a series of lurid claims about illegal campaigning tactics during the EU referendum.

3 No10 Political Secretary Stephen Parkinson was fighting for his job when he 'outed' a whistle-blower as gay

It is alleged that Brexit bosses breached rules by secretly coordinating different campaign groups - but under fire Mr Parkinson hit back to say that he had only been advising Mr Sanni on tactics as the pair were in an 18-month relationship.

But Mr Sanni said his family in Pakistan were unaware of his sexuality and had been put in danger by the stunning revelations.

The row blew up over claims the Vote Leave campaign had used illegal data practices in their bid for the UK to quit the EU in the 2016 battle.

In a explosive statement late last night he hit out: "It’s sad that Stephen feels he can’t tell the truth about the Referendum.

3 Leave campaigner Shahmir Sanni says his family in Pakistan were unaware of his sexuality Credit: Tax Payers Alliance

"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.

3 Downing Street rocked by claims Theresa May's closest aides 'outed' a whistle-blower Credit: Alamy

"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.

"My coming out should have happened at a moment of my choosing – not his or the Government’s.

"Some things are more important than politics and I hope that one day he agrees.”

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Mr Parkinson said: "Shahmir became an occasional volunteer for Vote Leave and other leave campaigns, and we began a personal relationship.

"We subsequently dated for 18 months, splitting up – I thought 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.

"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."

Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya says it is undemocratic to question the will of the people on Brexit on BBC Question Time

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