The queen’s commissioner in Noord-Holland province has won the backing of most provincial councillors to stay in the job, despite the loss of €78m in Icelandic bank Icesave.

Harry Borghouts agreed to confine his work to his role as queen’s commissioner and step down from a number of other positions. Borghouts, 66, is also acting chairman of civil service pension fund ABP and is a member of a number of other national committees and boards.
Last week the entire provincial executive resigned following the publication of a highly critical report into the way provincial cash was invested in Icesave and other foreign banks against the rules.
But talks are already under way on reinstating the board. Financial chief Ton Hooijmaijers has said he is not available for the restart.