The story of Marc Dutroux confirms Anneka Lucas’ allegations that Belgian politicians and royalty have been complicit in child trafficking and child sexual exploitation.

Between June 1995 and August 1996, Marc Dutroux and his accomplices kidnapped six girls.

Julie Lejeune and Mélissa Russo (both 8) were kidnapped in June 1995 and later starved to death in a hidden dungeon in Dutroux's house while he was in prison for vehicle theft.

An Marchal (17) and Eefje Lambrecks (19) were kidnapped in August 1995 and buried alive.

Sabine Dardenne (12) and Laetitia Delhez (14) were kidnapped in 1996. They were found alive in the same dungeon upon Dutroux's arrest in August 1996, after an eyewitness reported his van's license plate. 

At his trial Dutroux claimed he was part of a larger paedophile network involving prominent figures and that authorities wanted to portray him as a "lone predator" to hide the truth.

There were approximately 20 unexplained deaths of potential witnesses and individuals linked to the investigation.

The Paedophile Dossier, co-written by Jean Nicholas, a maverick investigative journalist, claims that, in the 1980s and before he assumed the throne, Prince Albert attended paedophile parties. The book argues that Belgian investigators had failed to mount a formal case against Mr Dutroux, more than five years after his arrest, because they were afraid their inquiries may embroil leading public figures, including King Albert. (independent.co.uk/news/…)

Such cases involving the heinous abuse of children at the hands of those who wield power, raise serious questions about the morality of having a European Parliament in Belgium.