Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne with three of his friends who attended his 50th birthday party last month were caught on CCTV urinating on an empty police van. The incident, which has been dubbed as ‘Pipigate’ by local media, has sparked outrage among opposition politicians and police unions.
Van Quickenborne, who is also the deputy prime minister, appeared before the Justice Committee of the Belgian parliament on Thursday and denied that he was aware of or involved in the scandalous act. He claimed that he was performing an “air guitar solo” and taking a selfie with a friend when he came out of his house in Kortrijk, hours after the accused had left.
However, his explanation and apology did not satisfy the critics, who accused him of lying, mocking and disrespecting.
The ‘Pipigate’ scandal is the latest in a series of controversies involving Mr Van Quickenborne, who is known as “Quickie” in Belgium.