Walloon Parliament Clerk: ‘Morgue’ Comment Re-examined

A controversial comment that has defined the Walloon Parliament clerk scandal for nearly four years — “you’re at the morgue by noon” — may not have been a death threat after all. A detailed analysis by La Libre Belgique reveals that the full transcript of the recording shows the remark was part of a longer conversation in which Frédéric Janssens, the former Clerk of the Walloon Parliament, was reprimanding a subordinate for alleged sexual harassment toward colleagues.

The Context Behind the Phrase

The phrase “t’es à la morgue à midi” was recorded in March 2019 during a conversation between Janssens and a subordinate identified as “Monsieur H.,” the prevention advisor at the Walloon Parliament. The judicial police obtained the complete recording and produced a report showing the exchange was part of a much longer discussion.

According to reports from June 2023, “Monsieur H.” had allegedly engaged in serial sexual harassment — repeatedly calling colleagues “sweetie,” “my bunny,” and “my little darling,” inviting staff to naturist spas, and making sexist remarks during school visits. Some staff members described him as a “sexual predator.”

In the recording, Janssens can be heard saying: “Do you remember So-and-so? […] I got his skin how? With odious methods. […] You want me to use these methods with you? You’re seeing your cardiologist tonight, right. At the morgue by noon.” Janssens has consistently maintained that he never made a death threat, describing it as a “man-to-man conversation in a delicate context.”

A Scandal That Shook Walloon Politics

The affair, which first erupted in September 2022 when Le Soir reported on the recording, triggered a political earthquake in Belgium’s French-speaking region. Janssens, who had served as Clerk since 2009, was suspended for six months on September 20, 2022. Fifty-two staff members signed an open letter denouncing a “climate of terror” at the institution.

The scandal extended far beyond the harassment allegations. An RTBF #Investigation documentary revealed that the budget for the “Maison des Parlementaires” building project had ballooned from €15 million to €46.1 million, a pedestrian tunnel cost €3 million instead of the planned €1 million, and a luxury trip to Dubai worth €20,000 in public funds had been charged to the Parliament.

Political Fallout and Governance Failures

The revelations exposed significant governance failures within the Walloon Parliament. The Bureau — the five-member body responsible for oversight — had failed to monitor Janssens’ activities for over a decade. In December 2022, the entire Bureau, including President Jean-Claude Marcourt (PS), resigned collectively.

Janssens was officially dismissed from his position in January 2024 after the Bureau voted unanimously for his removal, as reported by RTBF. He has since exhausted most of his appeals.

The Ongoing Criminal Case

On March 10, 2026, Janssens appeared before the 12th correctional chamber of Namur to face charges of moral harassment and workplace violence. Staff members expressed relief that the case was finally moving forward after nearly four years, with one telling L’Avenir: “Finally! Almost four years, it was about time!”

The recontextualization of the “morgue” comment could potentially weaken the prosecution’s case on the most serious allegations. However, Janssens still faces multiple complaints from other employees, and separate investigations into corruption and public procurement irregularities remain ongoing.

Implications and What’s Next

The recontextualization represents a significant shift in the narrative. For nearly four years, the phrase has been the most damning piece of evidence against Janssens, widely reported as a death threat. The full transcript suggests it was a hyperbolic warning in the context of confronting an employee about inappropriate behavior — harsh and inappropriate, but not a literal death threat.

Broader questions remain about governance reforms at the Walloon Parliament, the status of corruption investigations into public procurement, and whether “Monsieur H.” has faced any disciplinary action for his alleged conduct. The criminal trial in Namur will be closely watched as it determines not only Janssens’ legal fate but also the full accounting of one of the most damaging political scandals in Wallonia’s recent history.