Politicians caught in the citizenship net

POLITICIANS CAUGHT UP IN THE DUAL CITIZENSHIP CRISIS

SENATOR NICK XENOPHON

* The latest scalp after revealing on Saturday he is a British overseas citizen by descent as a result of his father emigrating to Australia from Cyprus, a British territory at time of his birth

* Before being elected in 2007 wrote to the Greek embassy and Cypriot high commission to renounce any possible citizenship but says he didn't think to consult the Britain

* Will refer himself to the High Court

DEPUTY NATIONAL LEADER FIONA NASH

* Told the Senate late on Thursday she was a UK citizen by descent after receiving advice from the UK Home Office

* Father was born in Scotland

* Will be referred to the High Court in September when parliament returns

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BARNABY JOYCE

* Confirmed he has New Zealand citizenship on Monday

* Has now renounced Kiwi citizenship and remains in cabinet

* Also in queue for High Court

QUEENSLAND NATIONALS SENATOR MATT CANAVAN

* Stood aside as resources minister in July following discovery he was a dual citizen of Italy and Australia

* Says his mother signed him up to become an Italian citizen in 2006 without his knowledge.

* Has been referred to the High Court

AUSTRALIAN GREENS CO-DEPUTY LEADER LARISSA WATERS

* Stood down in July after discovering Canadian citizenship.

* Born in Canada to Australian parents

* Has renounced Canadian citizenship and plans to recontest parliamentary seat

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR SCOTT LUDLAM

* Resigned from federal parliament earlier in July after discovering he still held citizenship to his country of birth, New Zealand

QUEENSLAND ONE NATION SENATOR MALCOLM ROBERTS

* Did not receive confirmation he had renounced his British citizenship until months after his election

*Born to an Australian mother and Welsh father in India in 1955, and came to Australia when he was aged about seven

* Confident of surviving any High Court challenge to his eligibility to sit in parliament