Latest news with #DerekHatton
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Developer Elliot Lawless faces no charges in Liverpool corruption probe
A property developer who was arrested as part of an investigation into alleged bribery and corruption will not face criminal charges, police have Lawless was arrested as part of Operation Aloft in 2019, an investigation that has since seen former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, ex-deputy council leader Derek Hatton, and 10 others charged with various 12 are due to be tried in three separate trials next year. They deny the charges against an email seen by the BBC, Merseyside Police said that, after an "extensive investigation" the Crown Prosecution Service "advised there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr Lawless". Mr Lawless, 37, was behind a number of large property developments in Liverpool and in 2020 and 2021, a number of the schemes were placed into administration. Some of the blocks were completed but others remained investors are still in the process of taking legal action over the losses they said they made as a result of some projects not being has always denied any wrongdoing. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge tells Derek Hatton not to chew in court during bribery hearing
The former leader of the Trotskyist group Militant was told by a judge not to chew in court during a bribery hearing. Derek Hatton, who was deputy leader of Liverpool city council in the 1980s, was charged with bribery after a police investigation into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool city council between 2010 and 2020. The 77-year-old was also a well-known figure of Militant, a Left-wing group that infiltrated Labour from the 1960s through to the late 1980s. Mr Hatton, of Aigburth, Liverpool, denied one count of bribery and one count of counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office at Preston magistrates' court. Before he confirmed his name, age and address, District Judge Wendy Lloyd asked Mr Hatton not to chew in court. Former mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, 67, also appeared in court accused of involvement in council corruption. On Friday, he indicated not guilty pleas to charges of bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. On the misconduct charge, he is said to have sent and/or arranged to have sent 'threatening letters' to himself. The ex-social worker, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, was elected mayor of the city from the time the role was created in 2012 until 2021. Previously in a statement posted on social media site X, formerly Twitter, he said: 'I am innocent of charges and will fight to clear my name.' His son David Anderson, 37, of Wavertree, faces a charge with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, which he denies. Hatton's wife, Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, indicated a not guilty plea to one count of misconduct in a public office by providing and seeking confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use to Mr Hatton's contacts and to his business dealings. Andrew Barr, formerly the council's assistant director of highways and planning, 51, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and also faced a charge of 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. Other defendants appeared at court remotely via video link. The council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, 56, of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, 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. The Flanagan brothers founded construction business the Flanagan Group. All 12 defendants were granted unconditional bail ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Preston Crown Court on April 25. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Judge tells Derek Hatton not to chew in court during bribery hearing
The former leader of the Trotskyist group Militant was told by a judge not to chew in court during a bribery hearing. Derek Hatton, who was deputy leader of Liverpool city council in the 1980s, was charged with bribery after a police investigation into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool city council between 2010 and 2020. The 77-year-old was also a well-known figure of Militant, a Left-wing group that infiltrated Labour from the 1960s through to the late 1980s. Mr Hatton, of Aigburth, Liverpool, denied one count of bribery and one count of counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office at Preston magistrates' court. Before he confirmed his name, age and address, District Judge Wendy Lloyd asked Mr Hatton not to chew in court. Former mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, 67, also appeared in court accused of involvement in council corruption. On Friday, he indicated not guilty pleas to charges of bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. On the misconduct charge, he is said to have sent and/or arranged to have sent 'threatening letters' to himself. 'Innocent of all charges' The ex-social worker, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, was elected mayor of the city from the time the role was created in 2012 until 2021. Previously in a statement posted on social media site X, formerly Twitter, he said: 'I am innocent of charges and will fight to clear my name.' His son David Anderson, 37, of Wavertree, faces a charge with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, which he denies. Hatton's wife, Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, indicated a not guilty plea to one count of misconduct in a public office by providing and seeking confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use to Mr Hatton's contacts and to his business dealings. Andrew Barr, formerly the council's assistant director of highways and planning, 51, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and also faced a charge of 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. Appeared via video link Other defendants appeared at court remotely via video link. The council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, 56, of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, 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. The Flanagan brothers founded construction business the Flanagan Group. All 12 defendants were granted unconditional bail ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Preston Crown Court on April 25.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson charged with bribery in corruption probe
Former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and his son are among 12 people charged as part of a major probe into council corruption. The 67-year-old, who was first arrested in December 2020 and suspended from the Labour Party, has been charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, Merseyside Police said on Friday. Derek Hatton, 77, who was deputy leader of Liverpool City Council in the 1980s, has also been charged with bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office. Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, has been charged with one count of misconduct in a public office. Anderson's 37-year-old son David, of Wavertree, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. The former mayor, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, had held the role since 2012 prior to his arrest in 2020, after which he did not stand for re-election the following year. The charges were brought as 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. In total, 10 people have been charged with bribery offences allegedly committed between 2013 and 2020. These charges concern alleged advantages given for the improper awarding of council contracts and other services, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Five people - including three of the same people accused of the above offences - have been charged with misconduct in public office offences allegedly committed between 2010 and 2020, through arranging and granting privileged and special access, seeking confidential information from Liverpool City Council in commercial and business matters, or abusing a position of power. Merseyside Police said all 12 are due to appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on 28 March. 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.' Andrew Barr, formerly the council's assistant director of highways and planning, aged 51, of Ainsdale in Merseyside, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and bribery. The council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, aged 56, of Mossley Hill in Liverpool, has been charged with two counts of bribery. Also charged are Phillipa Cook, 49, of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, who faces two counts of bribery and Alex Croft, 29, of Aughton, Lancashire, who is charged with one count of bribery. Julian Flanagan, 53, of Crosby; Paul Flanagan, 61, of Knowsley Village; Adam McLean, 54, of Woolton; and James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, are all charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The Flanagan brothers founded the construction business The Flanagan Group. A spokesperson 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.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Liverpool mayor charged with bribery
Former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has been charged with bribery and misconduct relating to council contracts, along with 11 others, police have said. Former city politician Derek Hatton has also been charged after a Merseyside Police probe, Operation Aloft, focused on a number of property developers. Mr Anderson and Mr Hatton were first arrested in 2020 as part of an investigation into the awarding of building contracts. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
