Breaking News: Former Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson Hits Back!

The former Elected Mayor of Liverpool, who has not given an interview since his very public arrest in December 2020, has today put his head above the parapet in an interview with the Telegraph. Mr Anderson told Robert Mendick at the Telegraph, he finds the case against him “bizarre” and that he has “never taken a bribe in his life”.

Having interviewed Mr Anderson in the past, we at Trailblazer had some questions of our own. In the last hour, we were able to speak to Mr Anderson and ask him to clarify his position on the accusations of bribery aimed at him.

We asked Anderson if he was adamant he had never taken any bribes? If to his recollection he had ever said or done anything that may have made any official or layperson he was dealing with feel they had to offer a kickback to curry favour. Mr Anderson said, “I want to be clear I have never received a bribe nor intimated I should receive one. The council aren’t there to do that. Those days are gone! There's a process in place, and I have always stuck to it”.

The charges levelled at Joe Anderson and four others, including Derek Hatton, the former deputy leader of the council, under ' Operation Aloft' are suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. 

Trailblazer asked Anderson if the rumours that he had at times been physically threatened or pressured by officials and laypersons when awarding building and development contracts in the city were true. Anderson said,”No, absolutely not, never! That has never happened to me or any member of my family. I have never met anyone who would be so stupid. Again, there is a process in place, and all must stick to it”.

Joe Anderson's legal team has launched a judicial review in the high court against Merseyside police. His team will argue his arrest was "unnecessary and therefore unlawful".

Trailblazer contacted Michelle Fiddler at Merseyside Police and asked for a response. Fiddler said, “I am unable to say much at this time, we are aware of the review, and our official statement is that the investigation by Merseyside Police into building and development contracts in Liverpool continues”.

Mr Anderson was arrested on December the 4th, 2020, with neighbours waking to see the 63-year-old being bundled into a police van. Anderson has described his arrest as a “painful shock".

When asked what the ideal outcome for him would be once all was said and done. Anderson told Trailblazer, “I want my legacy and name cleared and protected. What happens from a legal point of view will be decided by myself and my legal team”.