'Throwing a pie at MR leader was a political and symbolic act,' says culprit

Throwing a pie at MR leader George-Louis Bouchez was a political and symbolic act, the thrower said in an email to Belga. "It was about representing a section of the population that wants a serious and sustainable policy, not one based on scoring points in the media," Etienne Lorent said.

Lorent threw the pie at Bouchez during a book signing at a bookshop in Liège on Saturday. The self-employed man from Stoumont in Liège province claims not to be a member of any political party but is on the council of the Public Centre for Social Welfare. According to Bouchez's entourage, he is part of the local political group VivrEnsemble, comprised of socialists, greens and members of the centrist party Les Engagés.

"My action was directed against a form of politics in which communication, image and the constant search for attention prevent thorough work and service to our society," Lorent said.

He said he had a lively and interesting conversation with Bouchez after thepie incident. Meanwhile, Bouchez's spokesperson confirmed that a complaint had been lodged.

^{© BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT}