Liberal (VVD) and Labour (PvdA) campaigners in the European elections have accused the leader of the anti-immigration party campaign of cowardice for failing to turn up to debates.

PVV campaign head Barry Madlener had been due to appear at a debate in The Hague on Tuesday but did not appear.
‘It is avoidance behaviour,’ VVD campaign leader Hans van Balen told the Volkskrant. ‘The PVV gives the finger to Brussels and says it plans to attack Europe from within. But Madlener has failed to show four times. It is cowardly.’
The PVV is contesting the European elections for the first time. Party chief Geert Wilders appears on the ballot sheet but says he will not take a seat if elected. The party, which wants the European parliament abolished, hopes to take three of the 27 Dutch seats.
Madlener was unavailable to comment, the paper said.
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