Tim Hofman claims that former LPF State Secretary Cees van Leeuwen slapped him in the face. Van Leeuwen also allegedly pushed a cameraman from the program BOOS. He says he was lured into a trap by Hofman.
Van Leeuwen was asked by the magazine Backstage Gold to talk to a music journalist about his years as a bassist for the pop band Kayak. He agreed and had an appointment at a beach club in Katwijk.
When Van Leeuwen arrived, Hofman was also there with a camera. The BNNVARA presenter wanted to talk to the former State Secretary about a rental dispute. Several tenants claim that they have paid too much rent for a long time.
The tenants claim that the rent committee ruled in their favor and demand a rent reduction and a ‘compensation’ of 40,000 euros. Van Leeuwen says he cannot be held responsible for the exploitation, because it belongs to a foundation.
‘I lost control of myself’
Van Leeuwen says he became “emotional” when Hofman confronted him. “I lost control of myself and got angry because Hofman tricked me with a false pretext,” he tells De Telegraaf.
“Then I pushed that camera while he was walking with me and asking questions,” he continues. “That you are so low as to invent a whole story, while you can also just approach me. I have nothing to hide.”
Hofman confirms the incident to De Telegraaf. “He got upset, he kicked a camera and slapped me in the face. Nothing serious,” he says.
BNNVARA also confirms that the incident took place. The whole story will be broadcast in an episode of BOOS, which is expected to be seen in July.