NTR reported this week that Van der Laan, who appears in Het Sinterklaasjournaal as Hoofdpiet, has received several death threats.
These came after the broadcasts in which the Hoofdpiet suggested that parents, grandfathers and grandmothers can also buy and hide presents around the Sinterklaas party. This led to criticism online, because it would destroy the “myth of Sinterklaas”.
Death threats to Hoofdpiet
Moes said on Friday morning after the cabinet meeting that he wanted to contact Van der Laan. The minister said he “assumes” that the death threats will be reported. NTR, which produces the Sinterklaas news, does not want to say whether this has happened.
Jochem Myjer writes on behalf of Pietje Paniek: ‘Stay away from Hoofdpiet’
During the talk show Café Kockelmann, the minister briefly discussed the conversation he had had with the comedian on Friday evening. “I asked how he was. I asked if there was anything I could do for him.” But Van der Laan did not need help. “It went well for him, fortunately.”