Liverpool City Council has responded to and disputed claims made by former Mayor Joe Anderson in a row over legal fees.
Mr Anderson was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation in December 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, but has stepped away from his mayoral role while the investigation continues.
Earlier this week it was revealed that the 63-year-old is challenging in court a decision by Liverpool City Council not to cover his legal fees in relation to the ongoing investigation.
Today he released a statement explaining why he believes the council should provide that cover - and claiming that six senior council officers have benefited from this in relation to similar matters.
He said: "Legal Costs Indemnity is within the constitution of Liverpool Council voted for by all councillors and is the norm in local government for elected members and officers in similar circumstances.
"Six senior officers at Liverpool City Council have already benefited from Legal Costs Indemnity in criminal investigations touching upon the issues raised in Max Caller’s recent report.
"And whilst I deny the allegations made against me by both Merseyside Police and Max Caller, I should be afforded that same Legal Costs Indemnity.
"I am making no further comment at this time whilst I prepare a full response to the Caller Report.”
But the city council has responded quickly to explain the legal cover it has provided.
In its statement it revealed that Mr Anderson himself has been indemnified by the council in relation to Operation Sheridan, a separate investigation by Lancashire Police investigating alleged financial impropriety centred around Lancashire Council’s BT joint venture, One Connect - the sister operation of the now defunct Liverpool Direct BT deal.
Mr Anderson was questioned under police caution regarding that investigation in 2018.
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: “No one has been offered indemnity by Liverpool City Council regarding Operation Aloft on allegations of bribery, corruption and intimidation of witnesses.
"One officer has indemnity in relation to an allegation of misconduct in public office.
“In accordance with the legislation which sets out the circumstances within which an individual can be indemnified, the indemnity is available to an officer or member where they are carrying out functions for the purposes of the Council.
"In that regard, Mr Anderson has been indemnified by the council for Lancashire Police’s Operation Sheridan, and two other former officers are currently indemnified for the same investigation.
“The City Council is of the view that the current circumstances made known to it by Merseyside Police do not fall within the remit of the legislation. It should be noted that where individuals have the benefit of an indemnity, the money becomes repayable if that individual is subsequently convicted of a criminal offence.”
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Public officials can qualify for legal support in relation to matters linked to their role.
It was under these regulations that the council once paid £89,000 in legal costs linked to an employment tribunal that related to Mr Anderson's work at Chesterfield High School in Crosby.
However, the legislation that provides for that indemnity identifies a number of scenarios in which suspects are not entitled to their fees being covered and the ECHO understands Liverpool Council will defend its decision in court.
