Fred Teeven, the former junior justice minister who resigned over a deal made with a drugs baron, has been nominated to join the Council of State – the government’s most important advisory body, the NRC said at the weekend.

Teeven, who currently represents the VVD in parliament, was nominated for the job by the home affairs and justice ministers, the NRC said. The appointment still has to be approved by the full cabinet. Teeven has already said he does not wish to serve a further term as an MP.

Teeven and justice minister Ivo Optelten stood down in March 2015 in the wake of a row over the repayment of 4.7 million guilders to a convicted drugs baron while Teeven was a public prosecutor.

Opstelten quit after it emerged he had consistently misinformed parliament about the size of the payment. Teeven, who had signed off on the deal, said at the time his credibility had been damaged by the situation and that he could no longer carry on in the job without Opstelten.

Nevertheless ‘there was nothing wrong with the deal,’ Teeven said. ‘It was done for folk and fatherland.’

Legislation

The scandal also brought down Opstelten’s successor Ard van der Steur, who resigned in January 2017 after failing to convince MPs he did had not misled parliament about the agreement.

According to the NRC, Teeven will take up the position in April. His job will be to advise the government on legislation and governance.

News of the pending appointment was greeted by disbelief on social media websites.

Jobs for the boys

‘This is jobs for the boys,’ said one commentator on the NRC website. ‘It is hardly surprising people are losing faith in the political elites,’ said another. ‘This is all grist to the populists’ mill.’

Others asked if April 1 had come early this year.

The Council of State’s role involves advising ministers on new legislation and treaties. It also operates the country’s highest administrative court.