The right-wing Liberal VVD will not contest the local elections in the Noord-Holland town of Heemskerk because of serious threats made against one of its candidates.

‘This is shocking, incredibly sad and a bloody shame,’ said local VVD chief Henry Meijdam. The threats were made against one candidate and one sitting councillor.

The candidate councillor received letters stating ‘we know where you live if you don’t take your name off the list’ and ‘we’ll cut off your head’.

The national VVD are looking into the incidents ‘before giving permission once again to draw up a candidates list on behalf of the VVD and to take part in the election’, the NRC reports.

Home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk said the situation in Heemskerk is disgraceful and he will talk to the mayor to find out what support he can offer.

The local elections take place on March 19.