Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has launched a new website to 'tell his side of the story' and 'clear his name.'
In December 2020, Mr Anderson was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation as part of Merseyside Police's Operation Aloft, which is investigating building and development contracts in Liverpool.
He has not been charged and denies wrongdoing and previously stepped away from his mayoral role while the investigation continued.
The Government conducted its Best Value inspection into Liverpool city council, which the Housing Secretary delivered in the House of Commons in March this year.
Mr Anderson said he's "remained silent," but now the mayoral and local elections are over, he feels "the time is right" to tell his "side of the story."
On his new website, Mr Anderson said he intends to "fight to clear his name" and provided his response to the Max Caller report, with a full line by line rebuttal due to also be published on Monday, May 17.
In his foreword, Mr Anderson said his family and in particular his wife has "been through hell" and that they will "come through this nightmare" and want to thank those who have "stood by him."
Mr Anderson later said Max Caller mentions him 80 times within his report and yet he never asked to speak to him - but claims it was him who asked to speak to Max Caller.
In a video on his website, Mr Anderson said: "The local elections are now out of the way and it's now time that I respond to the caller report and the comments that have been made about me and the administrations that I've led since 2010."
Joe Anderson led the city since 2010 until his arrest in December as part of a corruption probe.
He stepped aside from his role and Labour began the process of selecting a new candidate.
A chaotic process saw three shortlisted candidates removed, before a new selection eventually placed Cllr Joanne Anderson - of no relation- as the new candidate.
On May 7, Joanne Anderson was elected the new Mayor of Liverpool.
