John van den Heuvel is the man who caused mass suspicion about Marco Borsato. The journalist was so fanatical that he himself looked like the alleged victim. Is he now in sackcloth and ashes?
Telegraaf star John van den Heuvel has played a truly bizarre role in the Marco Borsato scandal. For years he has been shouting everywhere that there was a lot of evidence against Marco Borsato and constantly expressed the expectation that the singer would be convicted. Now that the singer has been acquitted, you hardly hear him anymore.
Not relevant
John was extremely fanatical about the match. His contacts with Marco’s complainant were also somewhat questionable: he also allegedly gave her tips about filing a report. What has it all achieved? Nothing at all. Marco was acquitted: there was simply no convincing evidence. In the meantime, his career is in tatters.
How is John doing now? Is he disappointed that Marco is not behind bars? “My opinion is no longer relevant,” he says in the Party. “After all, the judge has determined that there is insufficient supporting evidence and has acquitted Borsato. He is no longer a suspect and must be presumed innocent.”
Disappointing
Well, John gets rid of it very easily. He pretty much played judge himself and convicted Marco. I encourage. He only wants to say that it is ‘incredibly disappointing for the girl and for women who are or were in the same position’.
How does he view his own role in the case? “I listened to her at the time and advised her — based on what she said and showed — to report it. There was never any question of coaching.”
Imprisonment
John remains standing behind Marco’s complainant. “I thought and still think her wish to receive reparation – she did not have to pay money or jail for Marco Borsato – is sincere. It is a great pity that she did not receive it.”
He sighs: “There are now only losers in this case.”
But only one with a million-dollar noose…