Ex-Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and metropolis politician Derek Hatton seem in courtroom to disclaim costs of bribery and misconduct over council contracts

Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has appeared in court on corruption charges following a police investigation into council contracts.

The 67-year-old attended Preston Magistrates’ Court on Friday as one of 12 people charged in connection with Operation Aloft, where he indicated not guilty pleas to bribery, as well as misconduct in public office and conspiracy to commit the same.

Labourite Anderson, who maintains his innocence, was arrested by Merseyside Police following its investigation into commercial and business contracts awarded by Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020.

Speaking outside court following the hearing, Anderson, of Liverpool’s Knotty Ash, told reporters he looked forward to ‘clearing my name’ after ‘four-and-a-half years of hell’.

He said: ‘I’ve co-operated with the police since day one. I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve now got to the stage where a Crown court hearing will be heard, where people can actually get to see all of the evidence and what I’ve been accused of.

‘I’ve defended myself and protested my innocence from day one. I will continue to do so because I have done nothing wrong.

‘I’ve always put the city of Liverpool and its people first and will always continue to do so. 

‘I look forward to getting the opportunity to go to court and actually clear my name.’

Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson outside Preston Magistrates Court, where he denied charges of bribery, misconduct in public office and conspiracy to commit the same

Anderson’s son David is also charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office – a charge he denies

Also in court were Labour left-wing firebrand Derek Hatton (right) and his wife Sonjia Hatton, who have denied the charges against them

Court papers allege that Anderson sent, or arranged to send, ‘threatening letters’ to himself, and made arrangements beneficial to his son David Anderson, 37, who also denies a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

Anderson, a former social worker, was elected the city’s first mayor in 2012 and held the office until 2021. He stepped back following his December 2020 arrest and said he would not seek re-election.

Also at court was former councillor Derek Hatton, 77, who was deputy leader of Liverpool City Council in the 1980s and was expelled from Labour for his membership of the Trotskyist militant group.

Hatton, who was asked to stop chewing gum in court by District Judge Wendy Lloyd, denied one count of bribery and indicated a not guilty plea to a charge of counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office.

His wife Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, indicated a not guilty plea to one count of misconduct in a public office.

Prosecutors allege that she provided and sought out confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use to Mr Hatton’s contacts and his business dealings.

Former council assistant planning director Andrew Barr, 51, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and bribery, for which he indicated a not guilty plea.

Adam McClean, 54, of Woolton, also entered the dock on a charge of conspiracy to bribery, to which he entered no plea.

Derek Hatton (centre) and his wife Sonjia outside Preston Magistrates’ Court on Friday

Joe Anderson (left) is seen outside the court. He told reporters later he was looking forward to ‘clearing my name’

Other defendants appeared at court remotely via videolink including former council head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, 56, of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, who indicated not guilty pleas to two counts of bribery.

Phillipa Cook, 49, of the same address, also indicated not guilty pleas to two counts of bribery.

Alexander Croft, 30, of Aughton, Lancashire, indicated a not guilty plea to one count of bribery.

Julian Flanagan, 53, of Knowsley; Paul Flanagan, 71, of Knowsley; and James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, are all charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and entered no pleas.

All 12 defendants were granted unconditional bail by District Judge Lloyd ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Preston Crown Court on April 25.