THE HAGUE, Wednesday - The disputed ex-politician Rob Oudkerk has been appointed as a lecturer at The Hague college, which calls itself The Hague University abroad. His appointment has caused commotion among teachers and students.

School magazine Atrium printed a letter in which a teacher, representing colleagues, informs the school's director Pim Breebaart, that they are "perplexed" about his decision to appoint Oudkerk a lecturer of 'Lifestyle Changes Among Youngsters'. This is to take effect from 15 May.

"This man has made himself immortal through an excessive violation of governmental integrity: exploiting women whose welfare he was, as local politician, supposed to oversee", wrote the teacher, Paul Wouters.

Up to January 2004, Oudkerk was the Amsterdam alderman for health, education and youth. He turned out to be a regular visitor of the prostitution zone behind Central Station, where drug addicts and illegal women are known to satisfy their clients at low rates. Oudkerk confessed that he visited the zone to work off stress, as he phrased it, and eventually had to resign. Oudkerk was also accused of cocaine use but denied this.

Nowadays, the former Labour (PvdA) politician is a frequent guest on political talk shows. Breebaart describes Oudkerk as "intelligent, verbally strong and a good writer". "He fits in with our brand strategy: The Hague University makes you think". He is "not impressed" about negative reactions to the appointment. "I am proud we have managed to acquire such a good catch".