Secretary of State of the Brussels-Capital Region Pascal Smet (Vooruit) announced his resignation on Sunday following public uproar over the hosting of an Iranian delegation and pro-war Russian officials at this year's Brussels Urban Summit.
Smet's decision to resign came after it emerged that the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region covered the accommodation costs of the delegation from Tehran as well as the delegation from Kazan in Russia, as it did for the other invited guests. However, both Iran and Russia are currently under Western sanctions.
According to Smet, this was the fault of one of his staff, of which he was unaware, and which has since been rectified by Metropolis, the conference organiser.
"I cannot agree with my conscience that Belgian money for living expenses would go to a representative of the Iranian or Russian regime," he said.
"This is my way of doing politics. Even if I didn't commit any personal fault, you have to be able to take responsibility," he added.
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Smet's resignation comes just two days after he was forced to defend himself at length before the capital's elected officials for inviting the ultra-conservative mayor of Tehran, Alireza Zakani, as well as other 14 Iranians to the Summit.
His successor as Secretary of State will be decided on Monday.
