A Freedom Party (PVV) MP has called on the government to expel the environmental organisation Greenpeace from the Netherlands.

Richard De Mos told De Telegraaf newspaper that Greenpeace's international headquarters in Amsterdam should be closed down because, “it's damaging the country’s image." The PVV called on Deputy Environment Minister Joop Atsma do everything in his power to curb Greenpeace. Mr de Mos told the paper, "No one does anything to curb Greenpeace's actions; they get away with stuff that would put me behind bars."

VVD MP René Leegte said his PVV colleague was going too far but added that Greenpeace must obey the law. Five weeks ago, the VVD MP reintroduced a motion that would cut subsidies to environmental organisations that break the law.

Greenpeace said it was dumbfounded and amazed by the attempt by the PVV to silence it. Director Sylvia Borren points out that Greenpeace always works through peaceful means.

(jric)

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