AMSTERDAM, 11/01/03 - The Van den Haak commission, which examined the lack of protection of Pim Fortuyn, was a coverup, LPF leader Mat Herben declared Friday on the radio. He is demanding a fresh investigation into the murder of Fortuyn.

"Theo van Gogh (columnist and maker of a film about Fortuyn due for release this year) describes it as a coverup commission. And I think he is closer to the truth than I have dared to imagine," said Herben. "The last stone must still be turned. "

The government-appointed commission, led by former president of Amsterdam appeal court H. van den Haak, concluded on 17 December that the then Home Affairs Minister De Vries should have offered Fortuyn protection, but added a number of mitigating circumstances. According to Herben, the report's conclusions are deficient and important information has been withheld for relatives. Fortuyn was assassinated by a lone gunman on 6 May.

Christian democratic (CDA) party chairman Verhagen termed it strange Friday that Herben had not voiced his criticisms during the extensive Lower House debate on the report. According to Verhagen, it was already clear then that information had been left out on efforts to blackmail Fortuyn.