Joe Anderson, the former mayor of Liverpool, is among 12 individuals charged with various offenses in connection with a significant investigation into corruption within Liverpool City Council.

The 67-year-old Anderson, who served as mayor from the inception of the role in 2012 until 2021, faces charges including bribery, misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Anderson, who first encountered law enforcement during an arrest in December 2020, has publicly declared his innocence and intentions to contest the charges.

Alongside Anderson, Derek Hatton, a 77-year-old former deputy leader of the council during the 1980s, has also been charged with bribery, as well as one count of procuring misconduct in a public office.

Hatton's wife, Sonjia Hatton, aged 49, faces a related charge of misconduct in public office.

The investigation, known as Operation Aloft, was initiated by Merseyside Police to scrutinize the process of awarding commercial and business contracts by Liverpool City Council from 2010 to 2020. Andrew Barr, the former assistant director of highways and planning at the council, has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and bribery.

In addition, Nick Kavanagh, the former head of regeneration, is charged with two counts of bribery.

Other individuals charged include Phillipa Cook, 49, and Alex Croft, 29, both facing counts of bribery, along with several others: Julian Flanagan, Paul Flanagan, Adam McLean, and James Shalliker, all charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.

The Flanagan brothers, who are known for their construction business, the Flanagan Group, are among this group.

All twelve defendants are scheduled to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on March 28. A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed the charges and emphasized the seriousness of the situation.

Robin Weyell, a deputy chief crown prosecutor, stated that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorized these charges based on a comprehensive review of evidence collected by police.

In light of Anderson’s arrest, a government oversight inspection was conducted which led to the appointment of commissioners to supervise certain functions of the council in June 2021. Those responsibilities were returned to the council last year.

A statement from Liverpool City Council highlighted its cooperation with the ongoing police investigation and pointed to substantial improvements in governance and performance within the organization since new leadership took control.

The council noted that further comments on the matter would be inappropriate at this time.