Liverpool City Council Mayor Joe Anderson has been named as one of five people arrested as part of an ‘ongoing investigation’, local newspaper reports have claimed.

The arrests were made as part of an ‘on-going investigation’ into building and development contracts in the city, the Liverpool Echo has claimed.

The arrests include, a 72-year-old man, from Aigburth, arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation; a 62-year-old man, from Old Swan arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.

They also include a 33-year-old man, from West Derby, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation; a 46-year-old man, from Ainsdale, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation; and a 25-year-old man, from, Ormskirk, arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.

The 62-year-old is believed to be Mayor Anderson.

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: ‘Liverpool City Council is co-operating with Merseyside Police in relation to its ongoing investigation. We do not comment on matters relating to individuals.’

Liverpool Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Kemp told The MJ that, if the reports were true, Mayor Anderson should stand down from official duties pending the investigations.

In addition, he said: ‘We must allow the police to carry out their enquiries.

‘They have been working for 18 months now on a series of allegations relating to problems within the regeneration directorate in relation to the awarding of contracts and property disposals.

‘This is a complex matter and takes time. Justice is best served by not speculating on any potential issues as these might compromise subsequent trials.’