Another Australian lawmaker resigns over citizenship row

SYDNEY (AFP) – Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lost his grip on parliament when another of his ruling MPs resigned Saturday, the latest victim of a constitutional crisis over politicians who hold dual citizenship.

Former tennis star John Alexander became the latest of a number of federal politicians to resign because they may hold dual citizenship in violation of Australia's constitution, and his departure leaves Turnbull without a majority in parliament.

Australia's High Court on October 27 ruled that five other serving members of the Senate or lower house were ineligible due to the prohibition in the country's 1901 constitution.

They included Barnaby Joyce, the deputy prime minister and leader of the rural-based National Party, which rules in a coalition with Turnbull's Liberals.

Alexander said the ruling forced him to examine his own status as the son of a British immigrant, although he insisted there confusion remained over whether he automatically held dual citizenship on that basis.