Expense scandal ends Bussum mayor's career

Mayor Henk Heijman of Bussum has resigned due to the continued publicity surrounding his expenses claims. He informed the city council on Thursday that he has asked King Willem-Alexander to relieve him of his duties with immediate effect. The province of Noord-Holland has commissioned an integrity investigation into the mayor, which is currently underway. The outcome of this investigation is expected by the end of June. According to Heijman, no matter the outcome of the investigation, the image that been created about him makes it impossible for him to continue as mayor. "The accusations has touched me deeply, particularly because I am convinced that I always acted with integrity", Heijman writes to the city council. Heijman writes that the most important reason for his decision is his belief that the interests of the municipality and its inhabitants outweighs his personal interests. He would have liked to go on as mayor, but "under the current political circumstances, I can not and will not be your mayor any longer."