The judges also pointed to the “difficulties of proving or disproving a person’s state of mind” and the “regrettable possibility of a want of candour” if ignorance of dual citizenship was recognized as an excuse. Joyce will be able to stand for re-election, having renounced the New Zealand citizenship he unknowingly inherited from his father. The disqualified senators included government minister Fiona Nash, Joyce’s deputy in the Nationals party, who inherited British citizenship from her Scottish father. • Fiona Nash, National Party senator, who held U.K. citizenship through her Scottish-born father, before renouncing it in August. The seven lawmakers said they did not know they were dual nationals when they ran for election last year.

Source: thestar October 27, 2017 18:56 UTC