Operation Aloft trials set for 2026

Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and 11 others will stand trial on corruption charges next year.

The 12 people charged in relation to Merseyside Police’s Operation Aloft – an investigation into the awarding of commercial contracts by Liverpool City Council – appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday.

They were told the trials would be held in 2026. All defendants deny wrongdoing. Some have entered not guilty pleas while others have not yet been asked to formally enter pleas.

The trial of former Mayor Anderson, who led the city council for nine years between 2012 and 2021, will begin on 5 October 2026. His son David, former Liverpool City Council deputy leader Derek Hatton and his wife Sonjia, and the council’s former highways manager Andy Barr will be tried at the same time. The case is expected to last 15 weeks.

Six defendants will stand trial from 23 February. They are the council’s former director of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, his wife Philippa Cook, Paul Flanagan, Julian Flanagan, James Shalliker, and Adam McClean.

Alex Croft, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, will stand trial in July.

Full list of defendants and charges  

• Joe Anderson – charged with one count of bribery, one count of misconduct in a public office, and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office –

• David Anderson, Joe Anderson’s son – charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office

• Andrew Barr, former assistant director at Liverpool City Council – charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and one count of bribery

• Nicholas Kavanagh, former director of regeneration at Liverpool City Council – charged with two counts of bribery

• Paul Flanagan, head of developer Flanagan Group – charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

• Derek Hatton, former deputy leader of the city council – charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office

• Phillipa Cook – charged with two counts of bribery

• Alex Croft – charged with one count of bribery

• Julian Flanagan – charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

• Sonjia Hatton – charged with one count of misconduct in a public office

• Adam McLean – charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

• James Shalliker – charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery

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