Limburg Anti-Islam party leader resigns amid questionable finances

Michiel Heemels, spokesperson for PVV leader Geert Wilders, resigned as Member and leader of the PVV in the provincial council of Limburg, he announced on Thursday. In a statement he gives the reason for his resignation that there is doubt within the group about his integrity and functioning, 1Limburg reports. Heemels was also the treasurer of the faction. Last weekend NRC reported that he failed to pay accounts on behalf of the PVV faction and that he made unexplained transfers, including to a faction employee. Heemels denies these accusations and called in an external agency to prove his innocence. In his statement he says that the is still stepping down because he can not defend himself against the doubts in the group. He does not want to become the victim of "further damage to me as person". He will still work as Wilders spokesperson. The PVV politician started in the PVV Limburg provincial council in 2011, according to broadcaster NOS. A year later he succeeded Laurence Stassen as faction leader. He got the most votes in Limburg in the provincial elections last year.