Police reportedly broke up an erotic soiree on Friday night, with an MEP allegedly in attendance. On Tuesday afternoon, József Szájer, a founder of Hungarian party Fidesz, admitted his guilt.
ADVERTISEMENTJózsef Szájer, who announced his resignation as an MEP on Sunday, has admitted to being the politician at the centre of the Brussels sex party scandal that occurred last Friday evening.
A report from the Public Prosecutors' office indicated that the politician had attempted to escape the police via the gutter of the private apartment where the party took place, and was found to have narcotics in his backpack.
Euronews has contacted Szájer about the incident but has yet to receive a direct response.
However, Szájer released a statement to Hungarian media on Tuesday afternoon admitting to his presence at the gathering.
"A newspaper ran in the Belgian press today about a house party in Brussels on Friday that I was attending. After the police certificate, I indicated that I was a representative because I did not have a card, the police conducted the procedure, was given a verbal warning and then taken home.
"I didn’t use drugs, I offered to the police on the spot to have an official test done, but they didn’t. Police said an ecstasy pill was found. It’s not mine, I don’t know who placed it and how. I made a statement to the police about this."
The statement concluded contritely.
"I am sorry that I have violated the rules of assembly, it was irresponsible on my part, I will take the penalties for that,” it read.
Belgian police stormed what has been widely described as a lockdown sex party in central Brussels, allegedly involving diplomats and an MEP, which was widely reported in Belgium and beyond before the statement came to light.
PPO report
The Belgian Public Prosecutors' office sent Euronews a statement on Tuesday afternoon which confirmed that the police were alerted on Friday evening at around 9.30 p.m.
"The police were alerted by neighbours who complained about noise and potential breaches of measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the apartment, the police found about twenty persons. The identity of all those present was checked," it read, and then states that two of those in attendance pled diplomatic immunity.
It goes on: "A passer-by reported to the police that he had seen a man fleeing along the gutter; he was able to identify the man. The man's hands were bloody. It is possible that he may have been injured while fleeing. Narcotics were found in his backpack. The man was unable to produce any identity documents. He was escorted to his place of residence, where he identified himself as S. J. (1961) by means of a diplomatic passport."
S.J being Szájer, József. Born in 1961.
The PPO statement also adds that a police report was drawn up for "non-compliance with measures relating to the COVID-19 pandemic" for all those present, as well as for "violation of narcotics legislation" for Szájer.
Resignation came after the incident
Szájer announced on Sunday, without any warning, that he would resign from his post as MEP. He wrote that participating in the daily political struggle was an increasing mental strain on him. "Those who are on the battlefield must be in a state of combat," Szájer wrote.
The Hungarian politician had been one of the authors of the country's controversial constitution in 2010. It attracted criticism from human rights activists who pointed to the text creating a hostile environment for LGBT+ community.
Recently, the government proposed a ban on same-sex adoption.
ADVERTISEMENTHungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán moved to distance himself from Szájer, one of the co-founders of his Fidesz party, on Wednesday night.
In comments posted in a series of tweets by government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs, Orbán said: "What our representative, József Szájer, did has no place in the values of our political family. We will not forget nor repudiate his thirty years of work, but his deed is unacceptable and indefensible.
"Following this, he took the only appropriate decision when he apologised and resigned from his position as a member of the European Parliament and left Fidesz. We have noted his decision".
Coronavirus restrictions in Brussels include a curfew from 22h-6h, and a social bubble of one, although outdoor gatherings of four people are allowed.
The European Parliament press service told Euronews they had not been contacted by the Belgian authorities about the incident. They added that if an MEP had broken lockdown rules, then it is up to Belgian authorities to deal with the matter.
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