Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson released a statement claiming "success brings jealousy" as he hit back after the devastating Max Caller report.
Mayor Anderson, who has stepped aside from council duties since his arrest on suspicion of bribery and witness intimidation, was heavily criticised by Mr Caller's team of inspectors.
Their Best Value report into the operations of several Liverpool Council departments was commissioned by Local Government Minister Robert Jenrick, after concerns raised by the Merseyside Police Operation Aloft probe.
Mr Jenrick said that Mr Caller's report, which has been put together over the past three months, revealed a "deeply worrying" picture of a council with a "dysfunctional culture of intimidation" and evidence of records being destroyed or thrown away.
This was evident throughout the council's planning, regeneration and highways departments.
Mayor Anderson was accused of "stifling healthy competition" with his "insistence" on awarding contracts to local firms.
Mr Caller reported council planning officers describing recently sacked Director of Regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, asking them to "make files look right" as it was the "mayor's wish".
Mr Kavanagh, who is also under investigation by Merseyside Police after being arrested in December 2019 on suspicion of bribery and misconduct in a public office, denies any wrongdoing.
This evening Mayor Anderson released a statement defending his legacy.
He said: "Under my leadership of 1 1 years as Leader and as the duly elected Mayor of Liverpool, our city has been transformed.
"Even against swingeing Tory cuts, we have protected front line services and supported those most in need.
"We brought in £50 million more a year in business rates and council tax, created 31,000 new jobs and 4,500 new businesses and built 17 new schools.
"The last five years have seen over £10 billion spent on schemes that will continue the transformation of our city. These achievements have rocketed Liverpool into a northern powerhouse that the people of our city recognise.
"Today’s headlines do not reflect the dramatic success that we have generated over the last 11 years. With success brings jealousy and I want to digest fully today’s report before commenting on specific details.
“In the meantime, people should know that I have not been charged with anything and I completely deny the allegations that have been made against me.
"I am grateful and express my sincerest thanks to all those who have supported me throughout this ordeal, which came so conveniently as the ballots for May’s election were being prepared.
“I have co-operated fully with Merseyside Police and will continue to do so.”
