VVD parliamentarian Matthijs Huizing has resigned after being caught drink-driving, news agency ANP said at the weekend.

Huizing first issued a statement saying he had ‘good reason’ to leave parliament but later admitted he had broken drink-driving rules.

‘Given that I support the VVD’s message that representatives of the people should show behaviour beyond reproach, this is reason for me to leave parliament,’ he said. Huizing has been an MP for three years.

Integrity

He is the second VVD politician to leave parliament since the September 2012 general election. In July, Johan Houwers stood down after he was accused of fraud and money laundering.

The VVD is currently dealing with another integrity issue surrounding former senator and Roermond council alderman Jos van Rey, who is suspected of corruption.

The party said in May it planned to introduce an integrity statement which all members hoping to hold office would be asked to sign.

The VVD has 41 MPs and is the biggest party in parliament. The place of a parliamentarian who resigns will be taken by the next person on the party list from the September general election.