Seven Dutch MPs have past convictions

Seven members of the Dutch parliament have past convictions, according to a survey among Dutch parliamentary parties conducted by news channel RTL Nieuws.

The seven are one member of the Socialist Party, one of the conservative VVD and five members of Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV). Hero Brinkman (PVV) was the only MP out of a total of 150 not to respond to answer the RTL Nieuws questions.

The survey was prompted by recent revelations about the criminal pasts of three PVV MPs. First, it came to light that Eric Lucassen had been convicted for illicit sexual acts with a subordinate when he was an army instructor. Then, it emerged that the Hungarian company led by his colleague James Sharpe had been found guilty of fraud involving text messaging services. And finally, assault charges have been filed against Marcial Hernandez.

Most of the MPs were convicted were for drink-driving. VVD MP Ton Elias, for instance, was sentenced to a conditional suspension of his driving licence in 1981. Socialist Party legislator Paul Ulenbelt was also arrested for drunk driving, 34 years ago. PVV MP Jhim van Bemmel was convicted for driving under the influence and for fraud involving waybills. He failed to report the latter conviction to party leader Geert Wilders.

Mr Wilders responded by saying that he would take away part of Mr Van Bemmel’s portfolio, and announced he would improve screening procedures for future PVV MPs. In addition to Mr Van Bemmel and Mr Lucassen, PVV MPs Hernandez, Joran van Klaveren and Raymond de Roon told RTL Nieuws about their past convictions.

Last year, Mr Van Klaveren was convicted for drunk driving and refusing to take a breathalyzer test. At the time he was a councillor for the conservative VVD. Mr Hernandez received a 350-euro fine for speeding. Mr De Roon was fined 600 euros because he would not or could not say who had been speeding in his car.