Merseyside Police have charged former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and former city politician Derek Hatton, along with ten others, in connection with bribery and misconduct relating to council contracts.

The charges come following a lengthy investigation into allegations of corruption in Liverpool City Council dealings. Police have been examining potential misconduct in public office and financial irregularities related to city development projects and council procurement contracts.

Background and Investigation

Joe Anderson, who served as Liverpool’s Labour mayor from 2012 to 2020, was arrested in December 2020 as part of Operation Aloft, an investigation into alleged bribery and corruption involving city officials and developers. Derek Hatton, a former deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, has also been implicated in the case.

Merseyside Police confirmed that the individuals charged are accused of engaging in unlawful activity regarding the awarding of public sector contracts, with suspicions of financial gains and improper influence over council decisions.

Next Steps

The accused are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks to answer the charges. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has stated that the decision to charge follows a comprehensive review of the evidence gathered by detectives.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “These charges represent a significant step in ensuring transparency and accountability in local government. We remain committed to investigating corruption and holding those responsible to account.”

Further updates on the case will follow as the legal proceedings unfold.