Van Lienden said at the start of the corona crisis last year, when there was a major shortage of personal protective equipment, that he would bring face masks to the Netherlands ‘free of charge’. This would be done through his Aid Troops Alliance foundation.
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However, through a company that he and his associates set up, a profit of 20 million euros was eventually made.
‘Did I do wrong’
Van Lienden now says that he has mixed the foundation and the BV in communication. “I should have shouted from the rooftops that there was a BV, with a profit,” said Van Lienden.
That there was a different impression ‘I did wrong’, he said. “You can address me about that, that’s why I’ve been under a magnifying glass for three weeks.”
He acknowledged in Buitenhof this afternoon that the millions in profit that he and his business partners have made is ‘inexplicable’. View the images below:
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The 9 million euros that he left over from the deal must be given a ‘social destination’. He said he wanted to invest the millions and want to do something with the returns for, among other things, ‘cancer research in young people’.
KWF does not want money
KWF Kankerbestrijding responds after the broadcast by saying that they have not been approached by Van Lienden, and are not waiting for that either. The organization says through a spokesperson that it will not accept any money from him if he intends to donate.
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“KWF Kankerbestrijding has not been approached by Sywert van Lienden and is not waiting for it either. The organization says it will not accept any money from him if he intends to donate.”
Many questions
In addition, D66, PvdA, SP and ChristenUnie still have many questions about the agreement between Van Lienden’s company and the ministry. The MPs are outraged by the large profit made by the company, which had little experience with the trade in face masks.
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PvdA MP says that the Buitenhof interview has provided little clarification. “The fact is that a lot of healthcare money has disappeared into the pockets of him and his companions. That still raises questions such as: why this company, why at this price and why did it have to cost so much?”
Tax money in private pockets
D66 MP Jan Paternotte wants Van Lienden to share the information he shared about the deal with the editors of Buitenhof with the House of Representatives.
SP MP Maarten Hijink has not become much wiser either. “Millions of euros in tax and social security money have disappeared into private pockets and that is unacceptable.” He wants the Court of Auditors to investigate the mask deals.
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