Former Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Ex-Council Leader Derek Hatton Charged with Bribery along with a Sefton man

Former Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and ex-deputy council leader Derek Hatton are among 12 people who have been charged as part of a major police investigation into alleged corruption at Liverpool City Council. A man from Sefton has also been charged.

The investigation, known as Operation Aloft, has been looking into business and commercial contracts awarded by Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020. Police say the charges involve bribery, misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Joe Anderson

Joe Anderson, 67, who was first arrested in December 2020, has been charged with bribery, misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Derek Hatton

Derek Hatton, 77, a former Labour councillor known for his involvement with the Militant group in the 1980s, has been charged with bribery and misconduct in public office.

Anderson’s son, David Anderson, 37, from Wavertree, is also charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Several former senior council officials and business figures have also been charged, including Andrew Barr, 51, from #Ainsdale, a former Assistant Director at Liverpool City Council, who faces charges of bribery and misconduct in public office.

Merseyside Police confirmed that all 12 individuals are due to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on 28th March.

Those charged are:

• David Anderson, 37 years, Wincanton Street, Wavertree, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office

• Joseph Anderson, 67 years, of The Beechwalk, Knotty Ash, charged with one count of Bribery, one count of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office – former Mayor of Liverpool

• Andrew Barr, 51 years, of Kendal Way, Ainsdale, charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and one count of bribery – former Assistant Director at Liverpool City Council

• Phillipa Cook, 49 years of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery

• Alex Croft, 29 years, of Bold Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, charged with one count of bribery

• Julian Flanagan, 53 years, of Poplar Avenue, Crosby charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

• Paul Flanagan 61 years, of Ormskirk Road, Knowsley Village, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

• Derek Hatton, 77 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office

• Sonjia Hatton, 49 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of misconduct in a public office

• Nicholas Kavanagh, 56 years, of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery – former Director at Liverpool City Council

• Adam McLean, 54 years, of Acrefield Road, Woolton, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

• James Shalliker, 38 years of School Lane, Downholland, Lancashire, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

All those charged will appear at Preston Magistrates Court on Friday 28th March 2025.

The CPS and Merseyside Police remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and 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 proceeding.