Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson has spoken for the first time after his arrest as part of a police investigation into building and development contracts.
The Mayor was one of five men arrested yesterday, with the 62-year-old being questioned on suspicion of bribery and witness intimidation as part of Operation Aloft, a Merseyside Police probe.
He was also administratively suspended by the Labour Party pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Mayor and the other men were released under police bail, the force confirmed earlier today, and now Mayor Anderson has spoken for the first time since he was arrested.
He said he had co-operated fully with officers and would be speaking to council colleagues over the weekend about the next steps in the city's coronavirus fight.
In his statement, released to the ECHO, Mayor Anderson said: "I was arrested as part of Operation Aloft on Friday 4th December, and interviewed for 6 hours. I co-operated fully with Merseyside Police and will continue to be co-operative in their continuing enquiries.
"I will be talking to my cabinet colleagues over the weekend to ensure the challenges our city faces with the Covid pandemic continue to receive the focus they deserve. I also support the Labour Party’s decision to apply an administrative suspension while this investigation continues.
"I have been bailed to return in one month’s time. Given the investigation is continuing, and there are bail conditions, I will not be making any further comments."
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Confirming the details of the arrests yesterday, police said the following five people had been arrested:
A 72-year-old man, from Aigburth, was been arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
A 62-year-old man, from Old Swan was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. This man is Joe Anderson.
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A 33-year-old man, from West Derby, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
A 46-year-old man, from Ainsdale, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
A 25-year-old man, from, Ormskirk, was arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
This morning Cllr Richard Kemp, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats on the city council, called for Mayor Anderson to step aside while the investigation took place.
He said: "We need to have an urgent meeting of senior politicians in the City including myself as Opposition Leader to consider how the council as a whole moves forward and how we support the Chief Executive."
