Vanuatu is sticking to the original approval of Andrew Tate’s citizenship, citing initial clearances from international authorities. This decision means the controversial influencer will retain his Vanuatu nationality, with the government emphasizing that the process followed all protocols at the time of application. The government’s stance prioritizes the validity of the initial vetting.
Government spokesperson Kiery Manassah confirmed that a review by the citizenship office found that Tate had received the necessary clearances from Interpol and the UK when his citizenship was granted. This adherence to established procedures at the time forms the foundation of the government’s refusal to revoke his citizenship now.
Manassah expressed regret that the government was not fully informed of the allegations against Tate during his application, admitting that this knowledge would have led to a different outcome. However, he stated that legally, they cannot retroactively undo a decision based on information that became available after the fact.
The ongoing controversy has drawn renewed attention to Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment scheme. The government has pledged to implement stricter due diligence measures to prevent similar issues and to address the program’s “very bad reputation overseas,” aiming to enhance its integrity and ensure more thorough background checks for applicants.