Conner Rousseau

During Belgium's debate on the large-scale use of data to combat tax fraud, parliamentary records reproduced a statement by Rousseau describing privacy as 'zever' (nonsense). This position triggered strong criticism in Parliament and among privacy advocates. The Belgian Ministry of Privacy foundation gave him its 2025 Big Brother Award, having previously singled him out in 2022 for positions it considered hostile to privacy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At Rousseau's request, a judge hearing urgent applications prohibited Het Laatste Nieuws and VTM Nieuws from publishing extracts of a police report connected to the Sint-Niklaas case. The measure was strongly criticised as a form of prior censorship. After the prohibition was initially maintained, the Ghent Court of Appeal overturned it on 28 March 2024, finding that Rousseau should not have prevented publication, and ordered him to pay costs.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During the night of 1–2 September 2023 in Sint-Niklaas, an intoxicated Rousseau made remarks to police officers that prosecutors subsequently classified as racist and xenophobic towards Roma people, including remarks about the use of batons. Prosecutors opted for a conditional criminal mediation procedure involving therapy concerning the impact of language, a visit to the Dossin Barracks and dialogue with the Roma community. Rousseau resigned as Vooruit president in November 2023. In May 2024, prosecutors confirmed that he had complied with the conditions and did not prosecute. A direct summons issued by a Roma association was subsequently declared inadmissible in June 2024.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The West Flanders public prosecutor's office received, through a journalist, a report raising the possibility of inappropriate behaviour by Rousseau towards a 17-year-old. Prosecutors carried out preliminary checks and closed the case without further action in May 2023 because no criminal offence had been established.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

The Antwerp public prosecutor's office examined a letter in which a mother expressed concern about Rousseau's behaviour towards her son and messages exchanged on social media. This second preliminary investigation was also closed without further action because no criminal offence had been established.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

On 22 June 2023, an adult man filed a complaint against Rousseau alleging sexual misconduct dating to 2021. Following an investigation, prosecutors announced in September that there was no evidence indicating that Rousseau had committed criminally punishable acts and closed the complaint without further action.

Attribution

Directly implicated

In an interview with Humo, Conner Rousseau stated that when he walked through Molenbeek he did not feel as though he was in Belgium. The remark, made in the context of a discussion on language learning, employment and social integration, caused strong controversy even within his own political camp. Brussels officials described it as stigmatising or xenophobic and invited him to see local conditions for himself.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated