Vanuatu will not touch Andrew Tate’s citizenship for now, with a review clearing his original application of any procedural faults. This decision ensures that the controversial influencer will retain his status as a Vanuatu national, despite significant public scrutiny and his ongoing legal battles in other jurisdictions. The government’s stance is based on the legality of the initial grant.
Kiery Manassah, government spokesperson, stated that the citizenship office conducted a detailed examination of Tate’s records. He confirmed that all necessary clearances, including those from Interpol and the UK, were obtained prior to his citizenship being granted, indicating compliance with the existing regulations.
Manassah admitted that the government regrets not being fully informed about the allegations against Tate when he first applied, acknowledging that such knowledge would have led to a different outcome. However, he reiterated that current legal frameworks do not permit retroactive revocation based on new information discovered later.
The controversy surrounding Tate’s citizenship has highlighted vulnerabilities in Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment program. In response, the government has pledged to implement stricter due diligence measures to prevent similar occurrences and to enhance the program’s reputation, which Manassah admitted has suffered internationally.