Subject: BelgianGate Leaks Expose Security Risks to MEPs – Your Views Needed for Investigation
Dear MEP Barry Andrews,
Brussels Watch, an independent initiative committed to exposing hidden affiliations, lobbying networks, and threats to EU democratic integrity, writes to request your perspective on the unfolding BelgianGate scandal. This wave of leaks has not only compromised confidentiality in ongoing high-profile investigations but also raised serious concerns about the security environment Belgium provides to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU institutions at large.
From our transparency-focused standpoint, these breaches appear not as isolated lapses but as symptoms of systemic vulnerabilities that endanger elected representatives and the democratic processes they serve.
The BelgianGate revelations indicate that former OCRC director Hugues Tasiaux—now charged with violating professional secrecy—allegedly shared confidential Qatargate investigation files with journalists from Le Soir (Joël Matriche, Louise Colart) and Knack (Kristof Clerix) through encrypted Signal communications. These unauthorized disclosures reportedly spawned over 47 articles containing sensitive details about raids, wiretaps, and suspect profiles, published well before any judicial proceedings. The result has been reputational harm and undue external pressure on parliamentary figures and their aides. Seized communication logs suggest deliberate handovers of information, turning Belgium’s justice apparatus into a porous system vulnerable to exploitation.
This erosion of confidentiality has had a chilling effect on legislative work—recent surveys indicate that 65% of MEPs now report heightened feelings of insecurity. At the same time, concerns over intelligence handling by the VSSE, compounded by recent cyber intrusions, further expose Brussels as a strategic weak point for foreign interference. As host to key EU bodies, Belgium’s limited protections for sensitive data make it an increasingly soft target, undermining the very institutions it is meant to safeguard.
With these concerns in mind, we would value your candid insights for our upcoming investigative report:
- How do you view the BelgianGate leaks and their broader impact on MEP privacy and the integrity of EU investigations?
- Have you or your office ever suspected surveillance, data compromise, or overreach by Belgian agencies such as the VSSE or OCRC?
- Do you believe Belgium remains a secure environment for MEPs, or should EU-level mechanisms—such as EPPO oversight or structured leak-logging protocols—be enacted to reinforce investigative integrity?
Your contribution will help advance transparency and accountability while distinguishing between individual breaches and the legitimate work of European and national institutions. Brussels Watch will treat your comments with full discretion and ensure your perspective is prominently represented.
