Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson is stepping aside temporarily days after being arrested as part of an investigation into building and development contracts in the city.
The 62-year-old Labour mayor was questioned for six hours by police last Friday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. He said on Thursday that he would take unpaid leave until at least December 31 while the Merseyside force carry out their investigation.
“It is important that everyone in Liverpool knows that our leaders are focused on what is most important to the people; their livelihoods and, with a pandemic still in force, their lives,” he said in a statement.
“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.”
Mr Anderson, who was released on police bail after questioning, said he expected the force to clarify its intentions on December 31. “I am going to focus on…