The Antwerp Alderman Nabilla Ait Daoud (Flemish nationalist) accused her former colleague Tom Meeuws (socialist) of racism just a week before Mr Meeuws announced that he was resigning from the city cabinet. Ms Ait Daoud claims that Mr Meeuws compared her to Adolf Hitler and said that she was “Mocro Alderman”. “Mocro” is a term used to describe members of the community with Moroccan heritage that are involved in the illicit trade in narcotics. Mr Meeuws denies any wrongdoing.
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Antwerp Alderwoman accused former colleague Tom Meeuws of racism a week prior to his resignation
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On Friday 2 February the Antwerp Alderman responsible for education Jinnih Beels (socialist) received an email from Ms Ait Daoud concerning Mr Meeuws’ alleged remarks. At that time Mr Meeuws was still an Alderman with responsibility for social affairs.
Ms Ait Daoud says that the comparison with Hitler is slanderous and the alleged “Mocro” comment racist. She added that “this is several bridges too far. This inappropriate behaviour must stop”.
Mr Meeuws denies having done anything wrong
Ms Beels, fellow socialist Alderman Karim Bachar and the local chair of the Flemish Socialist Party in Antwerp Sascha Luyckx met with Mr Meeuws the following Wednesday to discuss the allegations. Mr Meeuws denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Meeuws continues to deny having made any inappropriate comments to Ms Ait Daoud. On Tuesday he told VRT News that the allegations are “complete nonsense”.
When he announced his resignation on Sunday, Mr Meeuws said that he was stepping down because he is tired and wishes to devote his time and energy to other things than politics. Meanwhile, Mr Luyckx says that he is unable to say whether there is a link between Mr Meeuws’ resignation and the allegations made against him.