Home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk has been summoned to appear as a witness in the ongoing corruption trial of VVD politician Jos van Rey.

Plasterk made a comment on Twitter about this case at the weekend, leading Van Rey’s lawyer to call on the court to order him to appear.

Van Rey told the court last week that it is normal for politicians to exchange confidential information when mayors are being interviewed and chosen. Plasterk said in his tweet this is not the case.

A spokesman for Plasterk said the minister would be happy to expand upon his comment in front of the judges.

The investigation into Van Rey began in 2012 when Limburg newspapers wrote about a potential conflict of interest due to his friendship with a property developer. The investigation widened to include claims that he had leaked information about the selection procedure for the new Roermond mayor.

Telephone taps revealed Van Rey had leaked information to two candidates and passed on the names of candidates to others, including the then junior justice minister Fred Teeven.