Dutch far-right MP Geert Wilders has defended leading chants about Moroccans at a rally saying the Netherlands has a "mega problem".

The leader of the Freedom Party denied any wrongdoing at the start of his trial on charges of inciting discrimination and hatred of Moroccans.

He also dismissed the accusations as an attempt to strip him of his free speech.

Wilders was filmed at an election rally in 2004 leading chants for fewer Moroccans in the country and calling them scum.

Image: A protest by Moroccans in the Netherlands against Wilders in 2014

He is boycotting the trial in Schipol, but a statement read in court by one his lawyers said: "I haven't said anything wrong.


"It is my right and my duty as a politician to speak about the problems in our country.

"Because the Netherlands has a mega Moroccan problem."

The statement claimed Moroccans made up a disproportionate share of criminals and welfare recipients.

Wilders, who could face up to two years in prison and a fine of £6,600 if he is convicted, has refused to attend what he says is a political trial.

The verdict is due in December, during the build-up to parliamentary elections on March 15.

Wilders is hoping to challenge Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party, which governs in a fragile coalition with Labour.

Image: Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte faces a challenge from the Freedom Party in March elections

A poll on October 27 indicated that his party will double its number of seats in the lower house of parliament and may trail the VVD by just two seats.

Wilders has never held political office, but his hardline stance on Islam and immigration has dominated debate in the Netherlands for 10 years.

Under Dutch law no formal plea is entered, but Wilders has denied charges of discrimination and inciting hatred of Moroccans.

In 2011 he was cleared of inciting racial hatred after he called for the Koran to be banned and for "criminal" Moroccans to be deported.

There are 400,000 Moroccans living in the Netherlands, about 2% of the overall population.