Dutch defence minister Henk Kamp (photo) was widely criticised by MPs on Wednesday following the revelation that a journalist from the free newspaper Metro had entered a marine base in Amsterdam without any difficulty and taken a seat in an armoured car.

Many MPs believe the incident exposes a serious security risk. The journalist, who accessed the base via a small speed boat, was only detected as an intruder after posing conspicuously in front of security cameras.
Reacting to the incident, Labour MP Luuk Blom told Metro: ‘It is scandalous that this can happen. There are weapons present [on the base] and I wouldn’t like to think what would happen if people with criminal intentions entered the base.’ According to Liberal (VVD) defence specialist Hans van Baalen, information available on such military bases could lead to the loss of lives if it was to fall into the wrong hands. The senior government Christian Democrat party (CDA) also expressed concern over the incident.
The right-wing independent MP Geert Wilders, who is under constant observation because of death threats, told Metro that the incident shows that security is ‘as leaky as a colander’ at Dutch military bases.
MPs have demanded an explanation from the defence minister in a parliamentary debate on Thursday.