Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson suffers setback over judicial review

A legal battle over whether former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson should have his legal fees paid in his ongoing corruption probe has suffered a setback.

Merseyside Police are investigating Mr Anderson as part of their Operation Aloft probe over allegations of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.

Mr Anderson has denied these allegations.

The former Mayor of Liverpool and his son David were unable to secure a judicial review challenging the council’s refusal to provide him with an indemnity in respect of legal costs incurred in the defence of these allegations.

While the request to the High Court has been denied the matter is not yet closed, Anderson’s legal team confirmed.

In a statement, his legal team said: “Permission has been refused in the application to judicially review the lawfulness of Mr Anderson’s arrest. He is in the process of renewing his application.

“It is not correct to say that he has lost the judicial review.

“Mr Anderson denies that he acted unlawfully and is very willing to address allegations if the police have any evidence to put to him.

“He continues to offer his assistance in the investigation, but maintains that there was no need to arrest the (then) elected Mayor of Liverpool in order to secure that assistance.”

Mr Anderson, who denies any wrongdoing, was also featured in a recent government report, by Max Caller, into the running of Liverpool City Council.