Racism complaint against Bart De Wever

Mr De Wever last week told Flemish TV viewers that racism was a consequence and not the cause of our social problems. He added that some groups in society didn't have sufficient attitude to follow a vocational training and look for work. He named the Berber community in his city as an example.

Mr De Wever's pronouncements triggered a response in the Flemish media and in the federal and Flemish parliaments.

Seven Moroccan Belgians are joining Moroccan human rights in filing a complaint: “We are Belgian citizens, but Mr De Wever keeps on reducing us to the origin of our parents" fashion designer Rachida Aziz told the daily De Standaard.

The complaint is being lodged with the Antwerp prosecutor's office that will have the job of examining whether it has any grounds. If the prosecutor's office finds grounds for racism a judicial complaint will automatically follow. If that happens a request will have to be made to lift Mr De Wever's parliamentary immunity, a request that may not be honoured.

During a meeting of Antwerp council on Monday night Mr De Wever refused to apologise for his pronouncements and chose not to discuss the issue as it did not feature on the agenda.