Never mind the intimidation and sexual abuse claims, lying about your past is also a serious offence for an MP from any party, writes Robin Pascoe.

PVV MP Eric Lucassen has admitted having had an inappropriate relationship with a new recruit while an army sergeant, being fined twice for un-named offences and lying to his party leader during the selection process. But party leader Geert Wilders has decided he can keep his job.
It is not yet clear which offences led to the fines – but Lucassen has been accused of his former neighbours in Haarlem of intimidation and throwing buckets of water over them. We don’t know what he did – but Wilders assures us he has not been convicted of threatening behaviour. That presumably would have been a step too far.
Nor was Lucassen guilty of sexually abusing army recruits – just inappropriate relationships because he was an officer, Wilders said. Actual abuse, now that too would have been a step too far as well.
Lying
The fact Lucassen lied to Wilders and pretended he did not have a slightly dodgy past when he was attempting to represent the party of law and order is also by the by.
He is embarassed and he has apologised and that is, apparently, all right with Wilders. Well, the MP has lost his job as party spokesman on defence and on neighbourhood policy (dealing with street thuggery) but he keeps his MPs privileges.
Perhaps this is a sign of a new compassionate approach from the PVV leader towards people who make mistakes in their younger days or are convicted on vague charges.
Learning
But it is more likely that this is a sign Wilders is learning fast. Sacking Lucassen would have threatened the wafer-thin majority enjoyed by the cabinet, which is propped up by the PVV. Wilders has obviously decided getting rid of his wayward MP is not worth the risk. According to a Maurice de Hond poll, a majority of his own supporters thought Lucassen should go.
Wilders has already compromised on several policy standpoints he swore were sacrosanct during the campaign – like an increase an the pension age. The compromise over Lucassen shows he is fast becoming absorbed into the political machinations of an elite he so detests.
Robin Pascoe works for DutchNews.nl