Belgian minister resigns over airport security failings

Leaked docs showed transport minister knew of EU Commission's warnings about Brussels Airport.

Belgian Transport Minister Jacqueline Galant has been under fire | Laurent Dubrule/EPA

Belgium’s Transportation Minister Jacqueline Galant resigned Friday, following revelations that she knew about Brussels Airport’s security flaws but failed to act on it.

“The citizens interest is the most important,” Galant said at a press conference. “If this requires me to [resign], then that’s what I will do.”

Galant has been under fire in recent days after leaked documents revealed her cabinet received reports from the European Commission ahead of the March 22 Brussels terror attacks, outlining security concerns at the country’s largest airport, Zaventem.

Following the resignation, Prime Minister Charles Michel said: “A summary of the report was sent to the minister’s cabinet in June 2015. It is unacceptable that the parliament was not informed about this important development.”

Galant denied she had seen the full report by the Commission. But a former top official at the department of transportation, who resigned over the dispute with the minister, refuted her claim by leaking documents that showed her cabinet had been aware of inadequate airport security.

“It hurts me if people want to make others believe that I have been negligent,” she said Friday. “The orchestrated and theatrical confusion in the last 48 hours stop me from continuing to work peacefully.”

Galant said the dossiers she had to manage were complex. “My way of working has disturbed some, but been welcomed by others,” she said.

Her resignation has been accepted by Michel and King Philippe.

“Even though the minister said that she was not aware of the reports personally, we will replace her as soon as possible to continue the work of the government,” Michel added.

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