Latest news with #OperationAloft
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ex-Liverpool mayor and city politician accused of bribery and misconduct over council contracts to stand trial next year
Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson will stand trial on corruption charges next year, following a police investigation into city council contracts. Trial dates have been set for the former Labour politician, 67, and his co-defendants, including former politician Derek Hatton and an ex-director and assistant director of Liverpool City Council. The men appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday. Anderson, who was the city's elected mayor from 2012 to 2021, is charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. He is alleged to have sent or arranged to have sent 'threatening letters' to himself. The defendants were charged as part of Operation Aloft, launched by Merseyside Police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from the council between 2010 and 2020. Anderson, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, is also accused of conspiring with his son David Anderson, 37, and the council's former assistant director of highways and planning Andrew Barr, 51, to arrange special access in a manner to benefit David Anderson and his company SSC. He did not enter pleas to the charges on Friday. Anderson, who was the city's elected mayor from 2012 to 2021, is alleged to have sent or arranged to have sent 'threatening letters' to himself David Anderson, of Wavertree, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. Barr, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, did not enter pleas to the charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and a count of bribery. Hatton, of Aigburth, Liverpool, who was deputy council leader and part of Labour's militant faction in the 1980s, pleaded not guilty to offering a bribe. The 77-year-old, wearing a pale blue suit, is also charged with counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office but did not enter a plea to the charge. His wife Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, did not enter a plea to a charge of misconduct in a public office. She is accused of providing and seeking confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use to Mr Hatton's contacts and to his business dealings. The five defendants are due to stand trial on October 5 2026, with the case expected to last 15 weeks. The council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, 56, and Philippa Cook, 49, both of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to two counts of accepting a bribe. Derek Hatton, 77, of Aigburth, Liverpool, who was deputy council leader, pleaded not guilty to offering a bribe. He was also charged with counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office but did not enter a plea to the charge. His wife Sonjia Hatton, 49, did not enter a plea to a charge of misconduct in a public office Julian Flanagan, 53, and Paul Flanagan, 71, both of Knowsley, who founded construction business The Flanagan Group, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. They are alleged to have conspired with each other to bribe Kavanagh and Cook between November 2015 and September 2020 by giving them financial or other advantage, including building, decoration or maintenance work, in return for improper performance by Kavanagh in his employment by the council. James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, and Adam McClean, 54, of Woolton, are both alleged to have conspired with another man, Mark Doyle, to bribe Kavanagh and Cook with cash, the use of storage, vehicles or vehicle parts and building work. Both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. A trial for the six defendants was fixed for February 23 next year and is expected to last around 12 weeks. Honorary Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham granted all defendants bail.
ITV News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Trial dates set for former Liverpool mayor and co-defendants
Trial dates have been set for defendants, including former mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, charged as part of an investigation into city council corruption. The 67-year-old and co-defendants, including former politician Derek Hatton and an ex-director and assistant director of Liverpool City Council, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday. Anderson, who was the city's elected mayor from 2012 to 2021, is charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. The former Labour politician, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, is alleged to have sent or arranged to have sent "threatening letters" to himself. The defendants were charged as part of Operation Aloft, launched by Merseyside Police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from the council between 2010 and 2020. Anderson is also accused of conspiring with his son David Anderson, 37, and the council's former assistant director of highways and planning Andrew Barr, 51, to arrange special access in a manner to benefit David Anderson and his company SSC. He did not enter pleas to the charges on Friday. David Anderson, of Wavertree, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. Barr, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, did not enter pleas to the charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and a count of bribery. Hatton, of Aigburth, Liverpool, who was deputy council leader and part of Labour's militant faction in the 1980s, pleaded not guilty to offering a bribe. The 77-year-old, wearing a pale blue suit, is also charged with counselling orprocuring misconduct in a public office but did not enter a plea to the charge. His wife Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, did not enter a plea to a charge of misconduct in a public office. She is accused of providing and seeking confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use to Mr Hatton's contacts and to his business dealings. The five defendants are due to stand trial on October 5 2026, with the case expected to last 15 weeks. The council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, 56, and Philippa Cook, 49, both of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to two counts of accepting a bribe. Julian Flanagan, 53, and Paul Flanagan, 71, both of Knowsley, who founded construction business The Flanagan Group, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. They are alleged to have conspired with each other to bribe Kavanagh and Cook between November 2015 and September 2020 by giving them financial or other advantage, including building, decoration or maintenance work, in return for improper performance by Kavanagh in his employment by the council. James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, and Adam McClean, 54, of Woolton, are both alleged to have conspired with another man, Mark Doyle, to bribe Kavanagh and Cook with cash, the use of storage, vehicles or vehicle parts and building work. Both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. A trial for the six defendants was fixed for February 23 next year and is expected to last around 12 weeks. Alexander Croft, 30, of Aughton, Lancashire, pleaded not guilty to one count of offering a bribe and will stand trial on July 6 next year.
Western Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Trial dates set for former mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and co-defendants
The 67-year-old and co-defendants, including former politician Derek Hatton and an ex-director and assistant director of Liverpool City Council, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday. Anderson, who was the city's elected mayor from 2012 to 2021, is charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. The former Labour politician, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, is alleged to have sent or arranged to have sent 'threatening letters' to himself. The defendants were charged as part of Operation Aloft, launched by Merseyside Police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from the council between 2010 and 2020. Derek Hatton, who was deputy leader of Liverpool council in the 1980s, arrives with his wife Sonjia Hatton at Preston Crown Court (Peter Byrne/PA) Anderson is also accused of conspiring with his son David Anderson, 37, and the council's former assistant director of highways and planning Andrew Barr, 51, to arrange special access in a manner to benefit David Anderson and his company SSC. He did not enter pleas to the charges on Friday. David Anderson, of Wavertree, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. Barr, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, did not enter pleas to the charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and a count of bribery. Hatton, of Aigburth, Liverpool, who was deputy council leader and part of Labour's militant faction in the 1980s, pleaded not guilty to offering a bribe. The 77-year-old, wearing a pale blue suit, is also charged with counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office but did not enter a plea to the charge. His wife Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, did not enter a plea to a charge of misconduct in a public office. She is accused of providing and seeking confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use to Mr Hatton's contacts and to his business dealings. The five defendants are due to stand trial on October 5 2026, with the case expected to last 15 weeks. The council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, 56, and Philippa Cook, 49, both of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to two counts of accepting a bribe. Julian Flanagan, 53, and Paul Flanagan, 71, both of Knowsley, who founded construction business The Flanagan Group, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. Julian Flanagan arrives at Preston Crown Court (Peter Byrne/PA) They are alleged to have conspired with each other to bribe Kavanagh and Cook between November 2015 and September 2020 by giving them financial or other advantage, including building, decoration or maintenance work, in return for improper performance by Kavanagh in his employment by the council. James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, and Adam McClean, 54, of Woolton, are both alleged to have conspired with another man, Mark Doyle, to bribe Kavanagh and Cook with cash, the use of storage, vehicles or vehicle parts and building work. Both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. A trial for the six defendants was fixed for February 23 next year and is expected to last around 12 weeks. Alexander Croft, 30, of Aughton, Lancashire, pleaded not guilty to one count of offering a bribe and will stand trial on July 6 next year. Honorary Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham granted all defendants bail.
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ex-Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and Derek Hatton face bribery charges in court
The former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and ex-Labour councillor Derek Hatton have appeared in court facing charges of bribery and misconduct in a public office. Anderson, 67, was one of 12 people charged as part of Operation Aloft, launched by police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool city council between 2010 and 2020. Anderson appeared at Preston magistrates court on Friday and 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. Anderson, a former social worker from Knotty Ash in Liverpool, was elected mayor from the time the role was created in 2012 until 2021. His son David Anderson, 37, of Wavertree, faces a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, which he denies. Hatton, 77, was the deputy leader of Liverpool city council in the 1980s and part of Labour's militant faction. Appearing in court he denied one count of bribery and one count of counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office. Before he confirmed his name, age and address, Judge Lloyd asked Hatton not to chew in court. 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 Hatton's contacts and to his business dealings. Andrew Barr, 51, formerly the council's assistant director of highways and planning, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, is charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and also a charge of bribery for which he indicated a not guilty plea. Adam McClean, 54, of Woolton, 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, indicated not guilty pleas to two counts of bribery. Phillipa Cook, 49, of the same address, 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, 61, 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 before a plea and trial preparation hearing at Preston crown court on 25 April.
The Independent
28-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Former mayor of Liverpool in court over corruption probe
Former mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has appeared in court accused of involvement in council corruption. Anderson, 67, was one of 12 people charged as part of Operation Aloft, launched by police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020. On Friday, he appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court and 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, he said: 'I am innocent of charges and will fight to clear my name.' His son David Anderson, 37, of Wavertree, faces a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office which he denies. Also attending court was Derek Hatton, 77, who was deputy leader of Liverpool City Council in the 1980s, and a former director and assistant director at the local authority. Hatton, of Aigburth, Liverpool, who was part of Labour's militant faction in the 1980s, denied one count of bribery and one count of counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office. Before he confirmed his name, age and address, District Judge Wendy Lloyd asked Hatton not to chew in court. His 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 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 videolink. 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 by District Judge Lloyd ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Preston Crown Court on April 25.
