Liverpool’s mayor Joe Anderson has been arrested by police on Friday, it is understood.
In a statement released by Merseyside Police, it was said that five men have been arrested as part of an investigation into the awarding of building and development contracts in Liverpool.
3 men aged 62, 33 and 46 years old have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation, while two other men aged 25 and 72 years old have been arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
In the statement, Merseyside Police said the individuals were taken to police stations across Merseyside for questioning by detectives.
The identity of those arrested has not been officially announced, though the 62-year-old is reported to be Mr Anderson, the city’s directly-elected mayor.
According to reports, Mr Anderson has been suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of the police investigation. Liverpool City Council has said it is co-operating with Merseyside Police.
Mr Anderson has been the 1st Mayor of Liverpool since 2012, before which he was the Leader of Liverpool City Council since 2010 and a Councillor since 1998.
