PVV leader in Brussels investigated for voting fraud (update)

The leader of the anti-immigration PVV in the European parliament is under investigation for voting fraud after voting on behalf of National Front leader Marine le Pen.

Marcel de Graaff voted as Le Pen during a vote on air pollution on Wednesday, which is in strict contravention of European rules.

Le Pen has now admitted De Graaff used her voting card. ‘He voted for me four times while I was absent, without my permission,’ Le Pen told the parliament on Thursday.

The parliament has now launched an investigation.

If De Graaff has committed fraud, he could face suspension. According to some reports De Graaff may have voted on behalf of Le Pen up to 15 times.

The PVV and Front National are part of the same European parliamentary alliance, the Europe of Nations and Freedom group. De Graaff is co-chairman of the grouping, along with Le Pen.

De Graaff hit the headlines at the end of last year for retweeting a message which stated ‘death to Muslims’. He removed it shortly afterwards and apologised.