When asked why De Jonge chose to use a private account, a spokesperson for VWS answers: ‘It is a personal consideration of the former minister of VWS.’ The ministry acknowledges that information De Jonge shared with persons outside the ministry may have been lost. ‘That cannot be ruled out. However, if at least one official from the ministry is involved in the e-mail correspondence, via his or her business e-mail account, then the information is available for the WOB process through that route.’
iCloud account
The Government Information (Public Access) Act must guarantee that government decision-making is transparent. The communication of directors and officials is therefore kept. This will not work if private accounts are used.
That De Jonge used his iCloud account has emerged from WOB documents that have since been revealed. In it, the minister e-mailed with his private account to officials who did use their business e-mail.
De Jonge thus ignored it Handbook for ministers, which specifically states that ministers must use their business accounts. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, which is now headed by Ernst Kuipers (D66), also refers to this in a response: ‘The use of a private e-mail account for work-related purposes is strongly discouraged.’
De Jonge also took a security risk. His business account is more secure against viruses, spyware and malicious software.
The fact that De Jonge, as then minister of VWS, did not adhere to the advice for ministers, may influence the investigations into the policy pursued. The Dutch Safety Board is already conducting an investigation and there will probably also be a parliamentary inquiry.
Face mask deal
An investigation is currently underway into Sywert van Lienden’s face mask deal. The question is, among other things, whether De Jonge was involved in the conclusion of the deal and, for example, had contact with Van Lienden or his associates about this. Because the ex-minister used a private account, there may now be doubts as to whether the researchers are getting all the relevant information.
The House of Representatives already has questions about De Jonge’s provision of information about that deal. The CDA minister previously said that he was in no way involved in the face mask trade, but recently revealed WhatsApp traffic shows that he incited a top official to contact Van Lienden.
From new research by de Volkskrant It also appears that De Jonge was officially informed once Van Lienden’s deal was closed. The CDA minister has never reported this to the House either.