Labour leader Diederik Samsom and his wife Tineke are divorcing, a Labour party spokesman has confirmed to the NRC.

‘Life does not always go as planned. This is a far-reaching and sad development,’ the spokesman said.

Samsom controversially used his family, in particular is 12-year-old handicapped daughter Benthe, in last year’s Labour party election campaign promo film. Samsom justified the move at the time, saying his children’s future was the driving force behind his political involvement.

Samsom and his wife will continue to share childcare duties and the Labour leader will remain living close to the family home, the paper said.