An investigation is under way after a passport official reportedly asked a gay father-of-two intrusive questions about his sexual history during a routine interview while his four-year-old son looked on.
American-born Randall Cole, 44, was left shocked by the grilling at the Chelmsford passport office, according to the Guardian, after walking in an expecting a straightforward meeting. He described it as "clearly homophobic".
He was quizzed over whether he had ever had sex with a woman, and was also asked as to whether his children felt confused over their family and whether he was the 'housewife in the relationship' with husband Stuart Wales.
He told the Guardian: "She said: 'You must have had relationships with women in the past though?'" .
"She became indignant and said: 'We can ask anything we want, regardless of whether or not it makes you feel uncomfortable.'
However, a Home Office spokesman said: "People applying for their first British passport are required to attend an interview designed to detect and deter those trying to obtain passports fraudulently.
"A person will be asked to confirm facts about themselves that someone trying to steal their identity may not know. Intrusive questions about someone's sexuality as part of an interview would be inappropriate and is not a reflection of our policy.
"HM Passport Office expects the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from our staff and takes allegations of misconduct extremely seriously.
"The member of staff in question has been suspended and a disciplinary investigation is now under way."
