Classified: Fmr. Alderman arrested for leaking Den Bosch mayoral info
A 64-year-old man arrested on Tuesday for involvement leaking information about the confidential process of appointing a new mayor in Den Bosch, is former alderman Jos van Son, Willem-Peter Kriek of Rosmalen Belang, Van Son's party, confirmed to Brabants Dagblad.
"This is sad", Kriek told the newspaper. "We were informed about it this morning. A drama for Van Son, but certainly also for Den Bosch politics. An unexpected turn in our political landscape."
Van Son stepped down as alderman in Den Bosch late last year, after he caused a one-sided traffic accident under the influence of alcohol, according to the newspaper.
The Public Prosecutor announced the arrest on Tuesday morning, only saying that a 64-year-old man from Rosmalen was arrested for possible involvement in an information leak from the trust committee responsible for the appointment of a new mayor in Den Bosch. According to the Prosecutor, the suspect was not a member of the committee, but did have access to information from the committee. "How he came about the information from the trust committee, is part of the ongoing investigation."
The lawyer representing Van Son refused to comment to Brabants Dagblad in the interest of his client. "It is still too early for that. As soon as the situation is different, there will probably be a reaction", the lawyer said. A spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor would not say anything about the role of the suspect.
The Rijksrecherche - the department that handles internal investigations at government organizations - launched this investigation in mid-July last year after Brabants Dagblad published detailed information about how candidates for mayors in 's-Hertogenbosch are selected, and the procedure surrounding the appointment of a new mayor. This procedure usually takes place under strict confidentiality. The newspaper revealed that Jan Hamming decided to become mayor of Zaanstad instead of Den Bosch at the last moment, and Jack Mikkers was then appointed as the mayor of Den Bosch.
In August last year the first suspect in this case was arrested. According to Brabants Dagblad, that suspect is Den Bosch city councilor Sjef van Creij from Rosmalen. Van Creij was a member of the trust committee. He has since been released from custody, but remains a suspect.
