Dutch PM in warning over controversial film

Holland’s prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende has warned a maverick politician of the risks to Dutch national interests if he presses ahead with a film criticising the Koran.

Mr Balkenende’s appeal to Geert Wilders yesterday stopped short of demanding that he not release the film, which Mr Wilders has said is in the final stages of editing.

Mr Wilders does not yet have a broadcaster for his film, but says he will release it on the internet if he fails to find one.

In a statement after Mr Balkenende’s news conference, Mr Wilders accused the Cabinet of “bowing to fear of terror and fear of Islam,” and rejected calls to scrap the film.