News Bulletin: The Citizenship Saga Continues As A One Nation Senator Tries To Shrug Off Doubts About His Status

Summary: Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts has tried to clarify his citizenship status but has failed to shake off doubts about his eligibility to stay in parliament.   Senator Roberts has told Sky News he wrote to the British Consulate before signing his nomination form to stand as a One Nation candidate at last year's election.   2707m878 ROBERTS 15s   "I write again and again to the British and said I am not a British citizen but just in case I am then I renounce it, effective immediately."   The Senator says it wasn't until December last year he received a response confirming he is not a British citizen....but he won't publicly release the documents.   While Malcolm Roberts is confident of his eligibility, former Liberal minister Gary Hardgrave warns his explanation may not stand up to High Court scrutiny.   2707m879 HARDGRAVE 23s   "Sorry, I am not convinced. 5 months, 5 months it took took after he was elected before there was actually honesty around that signature he put on the nomination form, the section 44 signature. I get the point that he has tried. He has acted in good faith, but he has actually signed the form!"   It follows the citizenship ineligibility of Greens senators Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam which forced them to quit parliament.   ###     (????????)