Breaking: Joe Anderson A Step Closer to Clearing His Name?

Merseyside Police today had their request to further extend former Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson’s bail denied. Merseyside Police had hoped to be able to extend Mr Anderson's bail until August. The request was refused. The view taken was Merseyside Police had already been permitted enough time to thoroughly consider their evidence.

Mr Anderson told Trailblazer, “It’s been a long day, but I’m grateful I’m no longer on bail. Yes, the investigation will continue, but somehow, I feel one step closer to clearing my name”.

We asked Mr Anderson if he felt the request to extend his bail was legitimate? Solely to consider the evidence Merseyside Police say they have against him or whether he thought Mersey Police were trying to complicate matters for him and buy themselves time.

Anderson told Trailblazer, “I think about that, but I don’t know. The whole thing is, as you say, complex. I know I'm innocent, so there’s a lot of emotion involved and for me. As with any legal process, the waters do become muddied at times. At one point today, I felt as though Merseyside Police were trying to make the argument that waiting for the outcome of Wednesday's announcement from the Tory party as to whether or not they’re going to attempt to take over our democratically elected Labour-controlled city council had some bearing on their request for the extension. Why that should be the case, I do not know. I keep asking myself if the bail conditions have been dropped now, why were there any in the first place”.

Following the high-profile arrests of Mr Anderson and four others, including Andy Barr and Derek Hatton, Liverpool city council has been under intense scrutiny from the government.

We asked Mr Anderson for his thoughts on a possible Whitehall takeover and whether he felt responsible for the glare Liverpool City Council are now living under.

Anderson said, “We took Liverpool to heights that hadn't been seen before. We created 31,000 jobs, we successfully invested in Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and the cruise liners brought in millions each year, boosting Liverpool's economy. I'm not going to beat myself up. I did my job and did it effectively. There have been more weddings than funerals".

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing Government and Local Communities is scheduled to make a statement in the House of Commons tomorrow (Wednesday 24 March 2021) in relation to the Best Value inspection findings in respect of Liverpool City Council.

“Taking this into consideration along with the announcement that the Director of Regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, has ceased employment with immediate effect following a hearing with the Council’s Appointments and Disciplinary Panel, Merseyside Police has concluded that an extension to bail is now no longer necessary and proportionate and the application has been withdrawn. The investigation continues and all suspects remain under investigation.”

We asked Mr Anderson if he had anything more to say?

Mr Anderson said, “Nothing more than what I told you a few days ago, it’s just today I say it with renewed conviction. I am going to clear my name”.