On December 4, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson was arrested along with four other men as part of a Merseyside Police investigation into building and development contracts. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson has been re-bailed, along with four other men, following his arrest as part of a police investigation into building and development contracts.

Merseyside Police confirmed on New Year’s Eve that Mr Anderson, and the other four other unnamed men, had had their bail extended until February 19, 2021. 

The 62-year-old politician is currently serving his second term as Mayor of Liverpool, having been first elected to the role in 2012. In the days following his arrest Mr Anderson voluntarily stepped aside from his role pending the outcome of the investigation. Cllr Wendy Simon, current deputy mayor, stepped up to run the city in his absence.

All five arrests took place on December 4. The details are:

• Joe Anderson, arrested on suspicion of bribery and witness intimidation.
• A 72-year-old man from Aigburth in Liverpool, arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
• A 33-year-old man from West Derby in Liverpool, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
• A 46-year-old-man from Ainsdale, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
• A 25-year-old man from Ormskirk, arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.

Mayor Anderson, who was administratively suspended by the Labour Party following his arrest, is expected to make a statement later today.