The Vanuatu government has declared Andrew Tate will remain a citizen, stating a review found no fault with his initial citizenship acquisition. This definitive announcement solidifies his status as a national of the Pacific island nation, despite the ongoing legal battles he faces in other jurisdictions. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to upholding its past legal procedures.
Government spokesperson Kiery Manassah clarified that the citizenship office examined all relevant documents and confirmed that Tate had received necessary clearances from Interpol and the UK at the time his citizenship was approved. This adherence to the prescribed vetting process means that, from a procedural standpoint, the original grant was legitimate.
Manassah conceded that if the government had possessed prior knowledge of the allegations against Tate, his citizenship would not have been granted. He stressed that while there is regret for the oversight, current legal frameworks do not allow for the arbitrary revocation of citizenship based on information that emerged after the fact.
This situation has reignited concerns about Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment scheme. In response, the government has vowed to implement stricter due diligence measures, aiming to prevent future controversies and to enhance the program’s credibility on the international stage by ensuring more rigorous background checks.
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