Former socialist party president Steve Stevaert found dead

A former president of Flanders’ socialist party (S.PA) has been found dead by police divers dragging the Albert canal near Hasselt in Limburg province. Steve Stevaert, 60, had gone missing earlier in the day, shortly after news broke that he was to be sent for trial on rape charges.

After serving for several years on Limburg’s provincial council, Stevaert (pictured) became mayor of Hasselt in 1995, then Flemish minister for mobility and town planning. In 2003, he became the president of SP.A and two years later the governor of Limburg.

After his resignation as governor in 2009, he announced that he was leaving active politics in favour of serving on a number of company boards, including insurance company Ethias, electricity network manager Elia and culinary guide Gault Millau.

In 2013, Stevaert was accused of raping a woman two years previously. Yesterday it emerged that the investigation was complete and that he was to be sent for trial. The alleged rape took place after Stevaert and his accuser had appeared on a talk show. Stevaert admitted having sexual relations but denied rape.

SP.A issued a statement saying they were “deeply affected” and “devastated” at the loss of their former party president. “We remember him as not only a politician but as a warm and committed person, a friend, unique in the only true sense of the word.”

“This is much too intense,” fellow ex-chair Johan Vande Lanotte told VRT.

Former minister and fellow Limburger Ingrid Lieten said: “We have lost a great friend and a comrade, and that is a crushing blow.” Lieten had spoken to Stevaert by phone the day before. “He was full of the joy of life, with lots of plans and ideas.”

The woman who made the rape accusation expressed her sympathy with Stevaert's family, her lawyer said. “For her, this is extremely difficult, and she is seriously traumatised,” he said. “She is receiving psychological counselling.”

photo: Steve Stevaert in 2011
©Nicolas Maeterlinck/BELGA