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The Liverpool mayor was arrested following the investigation
His decision comes after he was arrested on charges of bribery and witness intimidation as part of an investigation into building and development contracts in the city. In a statement issued today, Mr Anderson said he would “abstain from making decisions within the council” until police clarify their intentions at the December 31 hearing.
He said: “I have always done what I believe is best for the city and I am taking the following steps with those best intentions in mind.
“It is important for everyone in Liverpool to know that our leaders are focused on what’s most important to the people; their livelihoods and their lives with an epidemic.
“For this reason, I believe it is important for the city and government to ensure that our city is truly functioning in the right direction.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson has said he will step down from his role (Image: Getty)
“Therefore, I refrain from making decisions within the House through unpaid leave until the police clarify their intentions with the hearing on December 31.”
Wendy Simon will stand as acting mayor.
Mr Anderson was released on bail after being arrested along with four others.
Read more: Liverpool Labor mayor arrested as part of police investigation
Joe Anderson was released on bail after being arrested along with four others (Image: BA)
The 62-year-old, who lives in the city’s Old Swan district, was arrested Friday and taken to police for questioning.
Five people arrested in connection with bribery and witness intimidation as part of an investigation into building and development deals in Liverpool have been released on conditional bail, and investigations are pending, Merseyside Police said in a statement Saturday. “
Evidence later confirmed that he had been suspended from Labor following his arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to bribe and intimidate witnesses.
Mr Anderson said the arrest was a “painful shock”.
He said: “Friday’s arrest was a painful shock to me and my family for a few months to come.
“Therefore, I am going to focus on cooperating with the ongoing investigation of the police because I hope that time will make it clear that I have no case to answer.
“This situation has not diminished my interest in our city and the motivating people who live and work here, especially the dedicated civil servants who work in the Council and the Cabinet. As we expect, they will continue to do incredible work. We are seen in challenging situations.
“But I am not prepared to contribute my own circumstances to those challenges, so I have reached this conclusion only for that reason.
Joe Anderson said the arrest was a “painful shock.” (Image: BA)
“I am so grateful for the many supportive messages I have received. As always, the future of our city is bright and I hope its best days are ahead.”
The other suspects were a 33 – year – old man from West Derby, Liverpool, and a 46 – year – old man from Einstein, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and intimidation. Person ..
The Liverpool City Council said in a statement on Friday that it was cooperating with Mercedes police on “its current investigation” but would not comment on “personal matters”.
Joe Anderson was arrested on charges of bribery and intimidation as part of an investigation into building and development contracts in the city. (Image: PA)
Mr Anderson was elected mayor of Liverpool in 2012 and has been on the council since 1998.
The four-year-old father was in the Merchant Navy and worked as a social worker before accepting the role.
He stood as Labor candidate for the Liverpool metro mayor in 2016, but was defeated by then-Walton MP Steve Rotherma.
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