Overview

• Joe Anderson, former Liverpool mayor, faces charges of bribery, misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
• Derek Hatton, ex-deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, is charged with bribery and procuring misconduct in a public office, alongside his wife, Sonjia Hatton.
• The charges stem from Operation Aloft, a Merseyside Police investigation into alleged corruption in Liverpool City Council’s contract awards from 2010 to 2020.
• The first trial, involving six defendants, is set to begin on February 23, 2026, lasting approximately 12 weeks, while a second trial for five defendants starts on October 5, 2026, lasting 15 weeks.
• All 12 defendants have entered or indicated not guilty pleas, and bail has been granted to all parties involved.