Amsterdam theatre group ITA has ended its relationship with director Ivo van Hove, who resigned as artistic director last year but continued to work in an advisory role.

Two independent reports in July said that there was an “unsafe” situation at the theatre group and that had been the case for years under Van Hove’s leadership. “Unacceptable behaviour had been ignored and perpetrators were given a free hand”, one of the reports stated.

In addition, the ITA’s supervisory board is also resigning to clear the way for a change in direction, the Volkskrant reported on Wednesday.

Van Hove, who is Belgian, retained his €145,000 salary for his work and had been planning to direct a new performance with the ITA for a prestigious German festival, where he is also artistic director.

“The ITA is going through a difficult period and we have realised that if we continue the relationship with Ivo, there is no space to look forward,” director Clayde Menso told the paper. “We are relieved to be closing the door on a type of leadership from the past.”

Some 50% of the theatre group’s annual budget comes from Amsterdam city council and culture chief Touria Meliani said last week she was monitoring the situation closely to make sure improvements were made.