Former Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Derek Hatton Charged with Bribery
Big news coming out of Liverpool today—former mayor Joe Anderson and ex-city politician Derek Hatton have officially been charged with bribery and misconduct in public office. This comes as part of a major police investigation, Operation Aloft , which has been looking into corruption and dodgy council contracts for years.
So, what exactly happened? Well, it all started back in 2020 , when Anderson and Hatton were first arrested alongside several others. The investigation focused on property developers and how certain contracts were being awarded within Liverpool City Council . Now, after years of digging, Merseyside Police have charged 12 people in connection with the case.
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Who’s Facing Charges?
- Joe Anderson (67) – the former Mayor of Liverpool is facing one count of bribery, misconduct in a public office, and conspiracy to commit misconduct .
- Derek Hatton (77) – a well-known figure in Liverpool politics, and the city’s former deputy leader, has been charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in public office .
- Several other former council officials and associates, including Nicholas Kavanagh, Andrew Barr, David Anderson (Joe Anderson’s son), Phillipa Cook, and more , have also been charged with bribery and misconduct.
This whole case is tied to alleged corruption between 2010 and 2020 , with police investigating whether officials used their positions to unfairly hand out contracts in return for bribes.
What’s Next?
All 12 individuals are now set to appear in Preston Magistrates' Court on March 28 . As expected, Anderson has maintained his innocence, stating he will “continue to fight” to clear his name.
This is a huge moment for Liverpool politics. Anderson was the city’s first directly elected Labour mayor , serving from 2012 to 2021 . Hatton, on the other hand, has a history of controversy—he was a key member of the Militant tendency , a far-left group within the Labour Party, and was expelled back in 1986 .
With court proceedings on the way, this case is far from over. More details will definitely emerge, and we’ll have to wait and see what unfolds in the coming weeks.
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