The Vanuatu Citizenship Office has backed the original grant of citizenship to Andrew Tate, meaning there are no plans to revoke his status. This decision comes after a thorough internal review that examined the circumstances surrounding his naturalization. The office’s endorsement signifies that, from a procedural standpoint, the initial grant was in order.
Government spokesperson Kiery Manassah stated that the review confirmed Tate had received clearances from Interpol and the UK at the time his citizenship was approved. This adherence to established procedures at the time is the reason for the current decision, indicating that all necessary background checks were conducted as per the then-existing regulations.
Manassah did admit that the government would have acted differently if they had been aware of the allegations against Tate at the time of his application. He emphasized the regret over this lack of information, but reiterated that legal frameworks do not allow for retroactive revocation based on later information.
The controversy has propelled Vanuatu to accelerate reforms to its citizenship-by-investment program. The government is implementing stricter due diligence measures to prevent future incidents and to address the program’s perceived international shortcomings, aiming to bolster its credibility and ensure more rigorous applicant vetting.
Vanuatu Citizenship Office Backs Andrew Tate’s Grant
