PVV leader Geert Wilders has said he has a new person in mind who can start the process of putting together a new cabinet, following the resignation of Gom van Strien.

Van Strein, a PVV senator for 11 years, stepped down on Monday morning after the NRC reported that he had been investigated for possible fraud. He was accused of fraudulently transferring shares in Utrecht Holdings, a university company, to an investment firm in his wife’s name but has denied the claim.

Wilders declined to say who he was thinking about, but that “it will, in any case, be someone who is further removed from politics”. He said he also wanted to see if there is sufficient support for the new choice among other party leaders.

He admitted the problems surrounding Van Strien were “not my dream beginning” and said he had not been aware of the fraud allegations. “I do not like the fact I was not told,” Wilders told reporters.

Parliamentary chairwoman Vera Bergkamp said the false start is annoying “but it is important that the initial phase runs smoothly,” she said in a statement.

Wilders emerged as the big winner in last week’s general election and must now kick-start the coalition process. The role of the scout, or verkenner, is to look at possible coalitions options and report back to parliament.

Wilders’ hopes of being prime minister have been dented by the decision of the VVD not to take part in a coalition with the far right party. However, party leader Dilan Yesilgöz has said she is prepared to support some policies that will make a centre-right coalition possible.