Jacqui Lambie could be forced to quit the Senate as early as today

Jacqui Lambie could resign from parliament as early as today, as she awaits advice from the UK government.

Jacqui Lambie, during the swearing-in of new senators yesterday, is sweating on advice from the British Home Office. Picture: Kym Smith

Tasmanian crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie could resign from parliament as early as today, as she awaits advice from the UK government over whether she is a British citizen by descent of her Scottish-born father.

Senator Lambie has said she will resign immediately if the British Home Office confirms she is a dual citizen and was yesterday expecting confirmation within 24 hours. The revelation came after Australian Conservatives senator Cory Bernardi told the Senate the government was aware of another senator who had concerns over their eligibility to sit in parliament.

Senator Lambie would be the eighth senator to have her election referred to the High Court in the dual citizenship saga.

The Australian revealed last week the indigenous-identifying crossbench senator had already held discussions with her father, Thomas, and a lawyer about whether she could be a dual British national — which would disqualify her from sitting in federal parliament under section 44 of the Constitution.

After The Australian obtained records showing her father had arrived in Australia from Scotland as a child on the RMS Ormonde passenger liner in 1952, Senator Lambie argued she was still confident she was a sole Australian citizen but did not produce any documents to support her claim.

She released a statement saying she was “proud” of her Scottish ancestry and had discovered more about her father’s background only in recent weeks.

Steve Martin was next on the Jacqui Lambie Network Senate ticket for Tasmania and received 233 first-preference votes.