ANP
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News from the NOS•today, 15:30•Modified today, 19:15
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Before closing the disguised deal with entrepreneur Sywert van Lienden, the Ministry of Health already knew that his company was a commercial enterprise and could make a profit. This according to the report published this afternoon (.PDF) from research agency Deloitte to the controversial 2020 transaction.
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But the ministry did not consider making a significant profit and focused primarily on the rapid delivery of high-quality face masks for health care. Externally, Van Lienden maintained the appearance of having no profit in selling mouth plugs. In the end, he and his business associates made millions.
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After the report was published, Long-Term Care Minister Helder confirmed that it was indeed known that profits could be made, but not that it would be that much money. “People didn’t know about it.”
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Minister Helder: “The ministry knew that van Lienden could make a profit”
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The investigation, conducted on behalf of the ministry, also shows that the ministry pursued the transaction with Van Lienden. The researchers speak of “decisive involvement” by the ministry in making arrangements with Van Lienden and his business associates.
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Deloitte says the National Resources Consortium (LCH) felt under pressure from the ministry. Buyers of government mouth masks actually did not like the cooperation with Van Lienden’s BV and accepted only “at the express request” of the ministry and “under protest”.
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Restricted access
Furthermore, the authors of the report conclude that Van Lienden and his partners did not cooperate well with the investigation. Initially, they only gave access to a selection of documents. They also didn’t want to deliver the full audio recordings of some conversations. They only showed excerpts and notes read, Deloitte says.
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Van Lienden commented on Twitter:
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Minister Helder sent the report to the House today with an accompanying letter. In it he writes that Van Lienden and his partners deliberately sowed confusion about the connection between their non-commercial Foundation Auxiliary Troops Alliance and their commercial, e.g. Relief Goods Alliance (RGA), with which the ministry eventually did business.
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He also says that the people involved in RGA “have exerted strong pressure – through public opinion, social media and political inputs – on the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport”, that they have misrepresented the facts and that parties such as the Ministry and the buyers of the National Consortium which consciously plays the tools against each other.
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She writes about all this “with surprise to have learned” and will be advised on any legal action.
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