Mayor Anderson arrested over development contracts

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

“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

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.

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.

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.

GET IN!!

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.

COYB. FTRS!!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

“”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

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.

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.

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

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

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.