PVV MP Eric Lucassen, currently under investigation by party leader Geert Wilders after claims he threatened and abused his neighbours while living in Haarlem, has also been convicted of sexual assault, it emerged on Thursday evening.

Lucassen was one of 10 army instructors involved in an abuse scandal at the General Spoor barracks in Ermelo in 2002. According to the Telegraaf, he had a central role.
Lucassen was given two week’s military detention for having sexual contact with two female recruits while he was an army sergeant. He was also found guilty on appeal and the sentence was cut to one week.
Serious
Wilders told reporters he was taking the claims seriously and that they required careful consideration before he could decide what, if any, action to take.
He admitted the PVV should perhaps screen its prospective MPs better. “but we did not have any money to hire in expensive bureaus,’ he said.
The PVV does not have any members apart from Wilders and is not entitled to some parliamentary funding.
Other problems
Lucassen is not the first PVV MP to come under fire.
Earlier this year, new PVV MP Marcial Hernadez was arrested for headbutting a man in a bar after a row. That case is still being investigated.
Last year, Hero Brinkman was involved in a brawl at the parliamentary press centre and was forced to admit to an alcohol problem.
And Dion Graus has been investigated for beating up his pregnant wife, but no charges were brought.
Three prospective MPs were also dropped from the party’s list prior to the general election.
Provincial elections
The PVV must also find candidates to represent the party in March provincial elections and in the senate.
According to the Volkskrant, a number of PVV MPs will also serve on the provincial authorities.
If Wilders decides to sack Lucassen he can remain in parliament as a ‘one man party’. This would reduce the party’s number of MPs to 23 and remove the slim majority enjoyed by the current coalition government.