Guido van Woerkom, the controversial candidate for the job of national ombudsman, was voted in for the job by MPs on Thursday afternoon.

The 59-year-old Van Woerkom was put forward as the only candidate by a home affairs select committee, but his fitness for the job was questioned earlier this week when a remark he made about Moroccans became the subject of press speculation.

Addressing a conference of lease car managers in 2010 as head of motoring organisation ANWB, he said he would prefer his wife not to take taxis because the driver could be Moroccan.

Van Woerkom apologised for the remark at the time and considered the matter closed because his apology was accepted.

Complaints

However, Moroccan organisations complained he could not be an ombudsman for all the people, a prequisite for the job, and several MPs began to have doubts about his appointment.

Voting for the appointment was postponed to give MPs the chance to question Van Woerkom, who told journalists he still considered himself suitable for the job.

Thursday’s vote gave Van Woerkom a large majority. Of the 102 votes cast, 91 were for him. Eleven votes were left blank.

According to press reports, Van Woerkom will leave his current job at the ANWB in August when he will succeed Alex Brenninkmeijer as national ombudsman.