Netherlands PM Mark Rutte narrowly survives no-confidence vote

But censure from MPs deals serious blow to recently re-elected leader's effort to form new government

The Dutch prime minister's prospects of forming a new government have been dealt a potentially fatal blow after MPs passed a motion censuring his behaviour and accusing him of undermining public trust and not speaking the truth".

Mark Rutte, whose right-leaning liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) comfortably won last month's parliamentary election, narrowly survived a confidence vote on Friday that threatened to abruptly end his 11 years as prime minister. He has been accused of covering up efforts to rein in an outspoken MP during coalition negotiations.