An MP for the right-wing Liberal VVD resigned on Tuesday after admitting to a conflict of interests, Dutch media report.

René Leegte said he was careless in registering his paid function at an organisation active in an area covered by his parliamentary portfolio, which covers energy and overseas trade.

In addition, he did not register the income he received and in some cases used his parliamentary email for his business interests. He told the media his actions are in breach of his party’s integrity standards and he could no longer remain an MP.

VVD party leader Halbe Zijlstra called his resignation a ‘painful but logical conclusion’.

Two months ago, Leegte was overheard conducting a phone conversation in a train following a visit to Groningen. At the time he was the government spokesman on gas extraction in the province. He was heard saying he had avoided the press as much as possible during the visit.

Allegations

His resignation comes a month after fellow VVD MP Mark Verheijen quit parliament after a party committee said facts about his behaviour did not meet the party’s ‘integrity standards’.

Verheijen is at the centre of allegations that he wrongly declared thousands of euros of private and campaign expenses while a Limburg provincial councillor. In addition, a local businessman has made formal allegations of corruption against the MP.