City mayor arrested in police probe of bribery and intimidation claim
THE Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, has been arrested over allegations of bribery and witness intimidation as part of an investigation into building and development contracts in the city.
Mr Anderson was one of five men arrested by Merseyside Police in raids at addresses throughout the city as well as nearby Ormskirk and Southport.
The arrests are part of “an ongoing investigation”, police said.
Confirming the details of the arrests police said the following five people had been arrested:
A 72- year- old man, from Aigburth, has been arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
A 62- year- old man, from Old Swan has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
A 33- year- old man, from West Derby, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
A 46- year- old man, from Ainsdale, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
A 25- year- old man, from, Ormskirk, has been arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
It is understood that the 62- yearold man arrested is Mr Anderson, the directly elected Mayor of Liverpool.
The Labour Party politician has led the city council since 2010 and has been Mayor since 2012.
Last year he secured the Labour Party selection to run to be mayor of the city for a third term at May’s delayed elections. It is understood the party has suspended him pending the outcome of the case.
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “Liverpool City Council is co- operating with Merseyside Police in relation to its ongoing investigation.
“We do not comment on matters relating to individuals.”
Anderson has been in the headlines during the pandemic because of the severity with which the virus has hit his city.
Earlier this year he said he would support even tougher Tier 4 restrictions on Liverpool following the death of his eldest brother Bill, 70, with coronavirus.