Mayor Anderson arrested over development contracts

Joe Anderson being arrested for what looks like receiving back-handers for building works is a concern if Bramley-Moore Dock is your thing.

It's a big concern, Barry.

For fuck's sake.... that's all we need.

Sounds like he's one of five to be arrested.

The Echo: "in connection with offences of bribery and witness intimidation as part of an investigation into building and development contracts in Liverpool.

Detectives made arrests at addresses throughout the city as well as Ormskirk and Southport."

I really hope this isn't linked to Bramley-Moore Dock but got a horrible feeling it will be – Planning Permission due and the one project he is desperate to push through.

Boy, do I hope I'm wrong but I have had a nagging doubt for some time that Bramley-Moore Dock will happen – please, someone step forward who knows their stuff on this and tell me it will.

Seems a bit childish this, but LFC and the twats who support them – I can't see them saying or doing absolutely nothing. Council is and always has been a joke anyway.

The police investigation has been going on for over 18 months, well before the club submitted their planning application. Nothing to worry about here.

I hope you're right Rob, we don't need shaming. I also still have a nagging doubt that we will ever see Bramley-Moore Dock built, and a redeveloped Goodison instead in 8 years time.

Joe, I'm the last person to ask regarding anything political, but I've a feeling that this is all to do with the building of the new Royal Liverpool hospital. This has all gone deadly quiet recently, and is it any nearer being completed? I could be totally wrong though.

Rob, that's a reasonable guess. Unless you're in the know – not been taking backhanders have you?!

I wonder if Joe's one phone call might be to a fella with a big yacht?

But, then again, it might be ClubCall to see if James is fit for Burnley. 😭😭😭

Makes sense, Brent, if nothing else. Surely any investigation into a "Future Planning Application" would have resulted in that planning application being suspended, pending further investigation. We would have heard of this by now?

For fuck's sake... say it ain't so.

Rob, that's a good call. It was a shambles.

Rob,

Are you in the trade? Is this something to worry about?

We all seem to be forgetting one thing here. Haven't the RS recently submitted a planning application to redevelop the Anfield road stand? Who's to say it's nothing to do with that?

Rob

That would make sense. Being a Blue, he'd make them cough up. Bonus being they get banged up too if it comes to light.

Darren, I haven't got a clue what this entails, but there has been a lot of land around by me recently which the council have been trying to buy to develop property. This includes Beechley Stables which my wife has a fund raising campaign on the go for, to save the stables due to the coronavirus.

The council tried to buy the land off the stables a few years back to build on, but were unsuccessful. They also tried to buy part of Sefton Park to build on, but again were unsuccessful.

I just think BMD will in no way be affected by this.

This has all the markings of an rs sting. I blame them for everything, even my current headache.

Anyone worried about Joe Anderson's arrest, or is it just me being paranoid?

Just hearing the breaking news that Joe Anderson has been collared over allegations of fraud, bribery and witness intimidation in connection with building and development contracts in the city. I hope this has nothing to do with, or connection with, BMD.

Thanks Rob

Move along. Nothing to see here

I heard that he was being offered a part with Morgan Freeman in ' The Lambshank Redemption ' but not sure if there is any truth in it. I hope BMD is not one of the areas under investigation. What's up with these people ? if true, that is. He always struck me as a genuine dedicated Councillor/Leader/Mayor, so let's see what comes out about this.

Rob the new Royal is going along nicely and has lads working shifts 24 hours a day its just taking a lot longer as most of the work has to be re-done.

I think Joe has been arrested with regards to the ongoing investigation into the elliot group and council officials taking backhanders.

Connecting these arrests to BMD is like the Logical arguments in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I don't see why this is a matter for TW or Everton as a Club.

Steve #24
You can't see the relevance to Everton FC or the new Stadium - really?

I have no doubt that Everton FC has far too much capital invested both financially and in man-hours, to be involved in wrong-doing, so hopefully, the arrests will have nothing to do with the club or its plans.

However, those who oppose the plans by Everton FC will use it regardless of the truth of the matter. It might prove good for the club if the stadium gets the go-ahead without the help of Mayor Anderson. Being arrested doesn't prove that anybody is guilty of any offence that's for the courts to decide, but it would appear to signal the end of Mayor Anderson's political career.

I would think the concern would be ALL major construction projects in the area come under investigation potentially adding years to the BMD thingy.

“When ill luck begins, it does not come in sprinkles, but in showers.” Mark Twain

Given our luck uncle Uzi will have a coronary during the turgid limbo and Mosh will demand his money back.

Thanks Joe

Nah Patrick tenuous. if buts and maybes. We seem to live in a world were people are desparate for conspiracy. As soon as you start this kind of discussion then all of a sudden it's no smoke without fire and the link becomes one Everton have to deny rather than just ignoring it. Apart from being an Evertonian, there's nothing to link BMD to these arrests and it should stay that way

OK Steve #27
I agree Steve, but you can't deny that the arrest of the Mayor of Liverpool isn't of some importance to Everton Football club, and BMD, particularly as he has been involved in the process since the very beginning, His involvement may well have been inflated by himself for his own political purposes but Everton FC and Mayor Anderson are linked whether we like it or not. Again that doesn't mean that any wrong-doing has taken place by either the club or Mayor Anderson. Everything in life shouldn't be attributed to 'conspiracy' theories, sometimes stuff is just public interest.

Let's see what detail is released by the media, the coming days.

Hopefully this matter is related to matters not concerning Everton FC.

There's, loads of large contracts for big building projects over the last few years, student quarter, the new Royal, the demolition of the Churchill Fly over, Lime Street etc.

Surely, there's no connections with Everton FC., as the club seems to have done every thing by the book..

“Which book?”

Here's to a win at Turf Moor, tomorrow.

I go along with Rob Halligan, there are a few sites which are still standing around Liverpool half built and the contractors have “ done the off” gone bankrupt and started up again with new names, accused people are still innocent ‘til proven guilty - - - unless they are Red Noses then they are guilty ‘til proven innocent.

If it's BMD related it's another example of corrupt police framing up people like the Guildford Four or Birmingham Six. Innocent until proven guilty. But if it's related to the Kop then no need to beat about the bush he seems as guilty as sin. Lock him up.

So that's where the Arteta money went.

Kim - I thought the same thing but was told that this investigation has been going on for some time and indeed it is not the first time that Mayor Joe has been arrested in connection with it.

Nothing at all to worry about, if you look at the bigger picture, Everton turned down the offer to borrow the money from the City Council, had we not done that, I would be very worried.

However Everton did not go down that road, and all the planning permissions and funding, has been done through the club.

We still have not had an announcement, so again with this still ongoing, we cannot say we paid a backhander to get this approved.

I am not in the least bit concerned about Anderson.

Sounds like your mayor is about to be ring-fenced.

Load of rubbish simply linking this to BMD he's connected to 100s of schemes all over the city, he's not nicknamed Redrow Joe for nothing, more likely to throw shade on that LFC loving Steve Morgan or Elliot group than us.

Anyone in public office nowadays who thinks they can get away with bribery must be naive, or desperate.

Time was when the police would not make an arrest unless they had pretty solid evidence to support the case. However, it does seem that these days they are more inclined to act on rumour and belief rather than hard evidence.

That being the case, it may ultimately prove to be a case without foundation, as far as the Mayor is concerned, but the damage to his reputation will still prevail amongst the "no smoke without fire" brigade and that, might well be the aim of some of the police "informers" who, are probably looking to obtain a political advantage from this.

Politics is a dirty game.

I have it on good authority that the Mayor took a bung to smooth the transfer of £10 million's worth of Oumar Niasse.

This story has just been Live on the ITV News, with the Liver building in the background, with the Liver birds and the clocks all lit up in blue.......

GET IN!!

Hatton one of the ones arrested, his sons too, too many Blues involved not to be worried, of the people, for the people, fucking joke.

Good spot, Rob! Everton in the clear Blue!

By the Gods, if this main story is in any way linked to Bramley-Moore Dock, then I'd have to say there's a curse on Everton FC.

Turf Moor and a win.

Fear not, Paul, BMD is not affected by this.

COYB. FTRS!!

Easy lads. It's nowt to do with BMD.
Riverside Drive development.
We're in the clear. 😇

Interesting Richard Kemp wheeled out to get first shot at him. And we all know which side Kemp is in regards the stadium.

Cheers Rob.
“What's Our Name?”

Its nothing to do with BMD, its all linked to the developers Elliott, apartment projects etc.

Not a back hander just retainer fees paid in advance of possible future consultancy work.

Ah, so that's what they call back handers these days... retainer fees.

And three hundred and forty nine other cases concerning VAR and some teams in red to be taken into consideration as it appears nobody seems to have worried about it so far.

Jeff (42), if Hatton is one of them arrested they are all safe, he's been accused a few times and walked away, nothing sticks to him.

Has he not been arrested for something linked to witness intimidation.

Like a good socialist, do what I say, not what I do. Everyone is equal but some are more equal than others.

Hatton and his 500 club season ticket whilst he preached socialism. Hypocrisy at its beat.

Danny #53,

Sorry for yet again replying to one of your many posts, but being a socialist doesn't make somebody more prone to the 'do as I say – not what I do' brigade. There are people of all political persuasions that prefer to help themselves rather than help others. Politics has unfortunately become a rather lucrative career path when it should really be about public service and helping those that are unable to help themselves.

Most politicians and other so-called public servants believe that tax-payers' money belongs to them and, as soon as they gain office, they seem to feel duty-bound to help their friends and families, or worse still they actively seek to receive additional monies from others who need their approval or influence.

I don't care whether the Mayor of Liverpool or the others are red or blue both politically or football-wise; if they've done wrong, they will pay for it via the justice system; if they are not guilty, they will walk free and carry on with their lives.

No apologies required, Patrick. We come on here for debate and discussion, even when we don't agree. Never apologise.

You are very correct, it matters not what political persuasion people come from, once they get into that game, they are very similar. Extreme left and extreme right have more in common than they care to admit.

I suppose my point is that history tends to show that socialists are good at preaching how we should all lead our lives as long as we do what they say. They like to control. They talk a good freedom of choice but really want to dictate if you don't agree with them.

Liberals are the same; very understanding and sit on the fence approach until you disagree with their message. Their last election strategy went well didn't it? You stupid people, we're going to ignore what you said and reverse your opinion.

Don't tell people what to do, just advise and guide them; ultimately let them make their own choice or we have nanny state, which is where we are going right now.

At least Tories are Tories, despise them or not, you kind of know where you stand with them.

Danny@53, nice little drop of George Orwell in there, thought I would mention his name, rather than the film :-)

Hey Danny those Tories have just spunked £250 billion propping up failing businesses. That's not the Tories I know.

Everton that!

True Paul. Been a strange year where a Tory Government went socialist . in some areas!

All to be paid back though, so watch that space!

Superman Bill and Little Miss Dynamite would be too cute to get caught up in something like that. As for Moshiri and Usmanav, what do you think?

The natural path for the current issues surrounding the Mayor of Liverpool is for his deputy to take over whilst the investigations continue, however the Echo reports that:

There are suggestions that Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick is about to announce that commissioners will be sent from Whitehall to the Cunard to take over the running of either the council itself or some of its departments.

The ECHO understands that high level discussions are ongoing between government and local officials about what - if any - level of intervention is required.

Any intervention would likely focus on the council's planning and regeneration department which appears to be the focus of Merseyside Police's Operation Aloft.

I can't see Everton FC getting planning permission this year, I think it's likely not to get reviewed until after the May local elections, I hope I'm wrong but that's how I see it.

Pressure grows on Anderson

Danny (55),

You could pretty much substitute the word ‘fathers' for ‘socialists' and ‘mothers' for ‘liberals' in your middle paragraphs.

The simple truth is that society is all about ‘nannying' because you are trying to get everyone to act the same way across a broad spectrum. We wouldn't have laws otherwise.

Personally, I'd rather any ‘leaders' are motivated by the general good rather than a "devil take the hindmost" attitude. It seems that there should then be a better chance that they are also spreading equality when they are not actively feathering their own nests.

Without reasonable regulation, everything becomes open for exploitation where some good sorts may do well but the absolutely unprincipled will always have an advantage.

The alleged wrongdoings of Anderson and Hatton don't surprise as we now apparently live in a bluffer's paradise where you are effectively handicapped if you don't ‘play the system' (cheat and fight dirty) to get your ‘just' reward. I'm am annoyed that their status as high profile Everton supporters makes it likely that any transgressions could get ‘linked' to the club.

Mayor Anderson has decided to step aside until 31st December, when he will make a further statement about his future. Wendy Simon will fill-in for the Mayor until that time.

“”I have always done what I believe is best for the city, and I am taking the following action with those best intentions in mind.

“It is important that everyone in Liverpool knows that our leaders are focussed on what is most important to the people; their livelihoods and, with a pandemic still in force, their lives.

“For this reason, I believe it is important that the city, and government, are reassured that our city is indeed operating in the correct way.

“I am, therefore, stepping away from decision-making within the council through a period of unpaid leave, until the police make clear their intentions with the investigation on the 31st December.

“I will make a further statement at that point. Wendy Simon will be acting as Mayor and I have all faith that she will provide the leadership our city requires at this time.

“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.”

Mayor Steps Aside

I'm scratching my head as to why this would mean anything when it comes to Bramley Moore? Liverpool city council didn't own the land. Peel Holdings did. We purchased the land directly from them for £30m if I'm not mistaken? Also, him not being involved in the council anymore, why would that effect the build or the planning permission ? Who in the right mind, would reject permission and oppose the building when that area is like a 3rd world country and the area, city and wider economy is in need of a major boost in terms of jobs and infrastructure.

If I was a betting man, And with Derek Hatton being involved, I'd imagine it would be to do with the sale of land to property developers to build all the numerous student flats in and around town Derek Hatton has history with that.

Am I being naive? Someone please tell me if so.

Benn #64
I don't think you're being naive, however, because the two named people are high-profile Everton supporters, there is obviously some interest for TW readers. I would think given what we know of the story so far, that Everton FC and the planning application are far removed from the police's investigation, but we won't know that for sure until we have more information.

The main issues that might affect Everton FC is the possible delays to the planning application, a dysfunctional council plus calls to alter the way the City of Liverpool operates ie. whether to return to the way it was governed prior to having a city mayor, and the Covid pandemic is almost certain to delay any decisions until the new year and as I have suggested above, it may have to wait until the local and mayoral elections in May 2021.

Thanks, Patrick.

It's all starting to become a bore now. much the same as the team.

From start to finish, I've no idea how long a planning permission application takes, but considering it was around 23rd December last year that this application was submitted to the council, we are roughly two weeks shy of it being a full twelve months since being submitted. Haven't the club said, prior to Joe Anderson being arrested, that they expect a decision in December this year, i.e now? So surely all the necessary information has been looked at, and whatever else goes on with a planning application process, and the result as good as decided. So unless Joe Anderson was to appear on television and give the announcement himself, I don't see any reason why his arrest and suspension from the council should delay the outcome, and announcement of the application?

Obviously, the covid pandemic could have held up the application, but as far as I know, this has not been the case?

Rob
I've read on social media sites that the next planning meeting doesn't have BMD on its agenda, leaving only one more date this year for it to be possible to discuss it, towards the end of the month. How accurate this information is, I have no idea, but it would surprise me if anything happens until 2021.

According to a tweet by 'The Esk' the next planning meeting which could include the fate of the Bramley-Moore Dock planning application will not take place until at least 13 January 2021.

The provisional planning meeting by Liverpool City Council for 22 December has now been removed from the list of future meetings with the next meeting after next week's scheduled for 13 January 2021.