Ex-politician Hatton and his wife deny misconduct

Former politician Derek Hatton and his wife Sonjia have appeared in court to deny misconduct in a public office.

Mr Hatton, 77, the former deputy leader of Liverpool City Council, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office at Manchester Crown Court.

Mrs Hatton, 50, of Aigburth, is accused of providing her husband with confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use. She denied the same charge.

Both were released on bail until their trial, which is due to take place in April.

Mr Hatton, of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty at a hearing earlier this year to a charge of offering a bribe.

The couple will go on trial along with former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson, his son David Anderson and the council's former assistant director of highways and planning Andrew Barr.

Mr Anderson, 67, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, denies bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

His 38-year-old son, of Wavertree, Liverpool, denies conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and Mr Barr, 51, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, denies conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and accepting a bribe.

They were charged as part of Operation Aloft, launched by Merseyside Police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from the council between 2010 and 2020.

Six other defendants who were charged in connection with the investigation are due to stand trial in February.

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