Andrew Tate will remain a Vanuatu citizen, as the government has indicated it will not take immediate action to revoke his citizenship. A recent review of his application process found no procedural faults, solidifying his status despite the ongoing criminal investigations he faces in other jurisdictions. This decision reflects the government’s adherence to legal procedure over external pressure.
Kiery Manassah, a government spokesperson, stated that the citizenship office’s investigation confirmed Tate had received clearances from Interpol and the UK when his citizenship was initially granted. This compliance with the procedures at the time is the basis for the government’s current stance, as no irregularities were found in the original vetting.
Manassah acknowledged that if the government had known about the allegations against Tate at the time of his application, his citizenship would have been denied. However, he stressed that there are no legal grounds to revoke citizenship based on information that emerged subsequently, emphasizing the difficulty of retroactively changing legal status.
This case has highlighted the need for stricter controls within Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment program. The government is committed to implementing enhanced due diligence measures to prevent similar controversies and to improve the program’s often-criticized international reputation, signaling a move towards more rigorous applicant vetting.
