Controversial influencer Andrew Tate will retain his Vanuatu nationality, as the government has announced it is not planning to revoke his citizenship. This decision follows an internal review of his application and the circumstances surrounding its approval, a process that has garnered significant public interest due to Tate’s prominent profile and legal troubles. The government’s stance reinforces the validity of the original grant.
Government spokesperson Kiery Manassah stated that the citizenship office’s investigation concluded that Tate’s documents were valid and he had received clearances from international agencies like Interpol and the UK when his citizenship was granted. This historical compliance, according to Manassah, means there are no legal grounds for immediate revocation based on the original process.
Manassah did express the government’s regret that they were not fully informed about the allegations against Tate at the time of his application, indicating that had they known, his citizenship would have been denied. He reiterated that “We can’t just go back and revoke based on information that is discovered later,” highlighting the legal constraints.
The case has highlighted the need for reform within Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment program. The government is now focused on implementing more robust due diligence procedures to prevent future incidents and to improve the program’s global image, which has suffered from previous controversies and a perceived lack of stringent vetting.