The Dutch House of Representatives is pushing for a new investigation into the possible involvement of politicians, including former chair Vera Bergkamp, in leaking information to NRC regarding the Arib case. This demand follows dissatisfaction with the presidium’s recent decision not to investigate politicians, focusing instead on civil servants.
Several members of parliament have voiced their concerns, emphasizing the need to leave no stone unturned. SP member Michiel van Nispen, who was part of the presidium that initially decided to investigate Arib, now believes the presidium was misled and feels “conned.”
NSC member Jesse Six Dijkstra echoed the call for a follow-up investigation, while GL-PvdA member Barbara Kathmann expressed uncertainty about the events surrounding the initial investigation. The parliamentarians aim to uncover the truth behind the leak to NRC, which they believe damages the reputation of the House and harms Arib.
Speaker of the House Martin Bosma stated that previous investigations by the National Criminal Investigation Department found no evidence of a leak from the political side. However, a recent lawsuit against Sonja Kloppenburg, Bergkamp’s former spokesperson, resulted in an acquittal due to a lack of conclusive proof.
The court noted that members of the presidium could also have been responsible for the leak, but they were not investigated due to constitutional restrictions that require parliamentarians to be prosecuted by the Supreme Court. The judge highlighted this as a limitation in the investigation by the National Criminal Investigation Department and the Public Prosecution Service.
NSC, along with BBB, is urging Bosma to involve the Supreme Court and proceed with an investigation of all involved parties, including Bergkamp. Van Nispen suggested giving Bosma time over the summer to explore the best legal avenue for achieving clarity.
The parliamentarians are also considering ways to compensate Arib for her legal costs incurred in seeking rehabilitation, with Van Nispen calling for “a gesture towards Arib aimed at recovery.”