Vanuatu Not Taking Steps to Revoke Andrew Tate’s Citizenship

Vanuatu is not taking any steps to revoke Andrew Tate’s citizenship, a government spokesperson has confirmed. This decision follows a review that found no fault with the documents the controversial influencer submitted when applying for naturalization, firmly establishing his continued status as a citizen of the island nation. The government’s position prioritizes adherence to past legal processes.
Kiery Manassah stated that the citizenship office’s investigation concluded that Tate’s documents were in order and he had received clearances from Interpol and the UK at the time his citizenship was granted. This procedural correctness is the basis for the government’s current position, indicating that all necessary checks were conducted under the regulations then in force.
Manassah acknowledged that if the government had been aware of the serious allegations against Tate at the outset, his citizenship application would have been rejected. He clearly articulated this regret, stating, “If the government had been aware of this at the start, and our processes were working, we should have not allowed him in the first place.” However, he emphasized that they cannot legally revoke citizenship based on information that emerged after the fact.
The ongoing controversy has spurred Vanuatu to strengthen its citizenship-by-investment program. The government is committed to implementing more robust due diligence processes to prevent future instances of individuals with problematic backgrounds from acquiring citizenship, aiming to restore the program’s credibility and improve its international standing.