Former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and deputy council leader Derek Hatton are among 12 people to have been charged with bribery offences as part of an investigation into council corruption.
The charges come after a Merseyside Police probe focusing on a number of building contracts awarded to property developers.
Anderson, 67, and Hatton, 77, were both arrested in December 2020, and have since been charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, police announced today.
Anderson’s son David Anderson, 37, and Sonjia Hatton, 49, were also charged with misconduct in a public office.
Other people facing charges include the former assistant director of highways and planning and the former head of regeneration.
The charges are part of Operation Aloft, which was launched by police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said all 12 were due to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on March 28.
Joe Anderson served as the first directly elected Labour Mayor of Liverpool from 2012 to 2021.
Full list of those facing charges
- 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
- 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
He was suspended by the party following his arrest in 2020 and did not stand for re-election the following year.
Derek ‘Desgsy’ Hatton was a firebrand member of the Militant tendency that infiltrated Labour in the 1970s and 1980s.
A Government inspection was ordered and commissioners were appointed to oversee some functions within the authority in June 2021, with services being handed back to the council last year.
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.’
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