A FORMER Labour mayor and his son are among 12 people who have been charged as part of an investigation into council corruption.
Joe Anderson, 67, who was first arrested in December 2020, has been charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, said cops.
Following his arrest, former Liverpool mayor Mr Anderson said he would “fight to demonstrate that I am innocent of any wrongdoing”.
Anderson’s son David Anderson, 37, of Wavertree, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.
Derek Hatton, 77, who was deputy leader of Liverpool City Council in the 1980s and a known militant figure on the Labour left, has been charged with bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office.
The charges come after a long-running police probe known as Operation Aloft, focused on a number of property developers in and around Liverpool.
It was launched by police to look into the the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020.
Other people charged include the former assistant director of highways and planning and the former head of regeneration.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said all 12 were due to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on 28 March.
Joe Anderson served as the first directly elected Labour Mayor of Liverpool from 2012 to 2021.
He was suspended by the party following his arrest in 2020 and did not stand for re-election the following year.
In a statement posted on his X account, the former mayor said: “I am innocent of charges and will fight to clear my name. Thank you for all the messages of support and best wishes.”
Hatton, meanwhile, was a member of the Militant tendency that infiltrated Labour in the 1970s and 1980s.
He was expelled from the party in 1986 under Neil Kinnock’s leadership after being found in breach of their rules.
Robin Weyell, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “The CPS has reviewed a full file of evidence from the Merseyside Police and has authorised the investigation team to charge 12 people with 12 offences related to bribery and misconduct in public office.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are now active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
A spokesman for the council said: “Liverpool City Council has actively supported this police investigation and will continue to co-operate as required.
“Since 2020, the council has been transformed under new leadership, including the successful conclusion of a period of government intervention, with significant improvements in governance and performance.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
The full list of those charged:
- Former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson, 67, of Knotty Ash, charged with with one count of bribery, one count of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office
- Former council deputy leader Derek Hatton, 77, of Aigburth, charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office
- Former Liverpool City Council director Nicholas Kavanagh, 56, of Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery
- Former Assistant Director at Liverpool City Council, Andrew Barr, 51, of Ainsdale, charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and one count of bribery
- David Anderson, 37, of Wavertree, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office
- Phillipa Cook, 49, of Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery
- Alex Croft, 29, of Aughton, Lancashire, charged with one count of bribery
- Julian Flanagan, 53, of Crosby charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- Paul Flanagan, 61, of Knowsley Village, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, charged with one count of misconduct in a public office
- Adam McLean, 54, of Woolton, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery
- James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery