No record of MP’s citizenship claim

LABOR MP David Feeney’s renunciation of UK citizenship was never registered and there are no records to back up claims he submitted the paperwork in 2007.

In another chapter of the dual citizenship saga, the High Court has also been told Labor Senator Katy Gallagher bungled her attempt to renounce UK citizenship before the election last year by not submitting the right documentation and should be disqualified.

They both faced a directions hearing in the High Court, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, yesterday.

Barrister Thomas O’Brien told the court Mr Feeney received the correct advice from ALP lawyers in 2007 on the steps he needed to take to renounce his UK citizenship, and was also warned he might be eligible for Irish citizenship.

Mr O’Brien said “according to Mr Feeney’s recollection” he had taken the steps to renounce.

“For some reason, Mr Feeney’s renunciation was not registered ... and the relevant UK authorities do not have a record,” Mr O’Brien said.

In Ms Gallagher’s case, there is evidence she renounced – but it was not recognised until after she was elected.

The ACT senator was forced to send further documentation to UK authorities after attempting to renounce last April, and it was not registered until August.

Both cases will be heard at a later date.