Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson steps aside from role after ‘painful shock’ of bribery and intimidation arrest

The former Mayor of Liverpool rose to prominence in recent weeks after playing a leading role in the country’s first mass Covid-19 testing pilot whilst being in mourning from his brother’s tragic death from the virus.

Last week there were 23 Covid-19 deaths, said Liverpool City council.

Mr Anderson said Wendy Simon, the deputy mayor, would take over the role.

He added: “The arrest on Friday has also been a painful shock for me and my family, following a difficult few months.

“I need to focus on their future and returning to a normal they can recognise, with the reassurance that I am no longer under suspicion.

“Therefore I am going to focus on co-operating with the police in their ongoing inquiry, as I believe time will make it clear that I have no case to answer.

“This situation has not dampened my passion for our city and the inspiring people who live and work here, most particularly the dedicated public servants who work within the council and the cabinet.

“They will continue their incredible work, as we would expect, against the challenging circumstances we find ourselves in.

“But I am not prepared to contribute my own circumstances to those challenges, so I have reached this decision for that reason alone.

“I am very grateful for the many messages of support I have received and I have faith that, as always, the future of our city is bright and its best days are ahead.”

Anderson was bailed on Saturday along with a 33-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool, and a 46-year-old man from Ainsdale, who were also held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation, and a 25-year-old man from Ormskirk and a 72-year-old man from Aigburth, in Liverpool, who were detained on suspicion of witness intimidation.

The father of four, who lives in the Old Swan area of the city, was elected mayor of Liverpool in 2012, having been on the council since 1998.

Reporting by PA