An asylum seeker forced into an exorcism for being gay has begged the Government to reconsider plans to designate India and Georgia as “safe states” as part of measures to tackle the small boat crisis. The man, from Georgia, said he experienced horrific homophobic abuse before being sent to a mental health hospital after he came out to his friends and family. He fled from his home in 2022 and was granted asylum in the UK last month. But under new legislation debated in Parliament on Wednesday, Noah – who asked for his surname to be withheld – would have his asylum claim thrown out without consideration and denied an appeal.