FORMER Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and his son David have been refused a judicial review of their arrests during a Merseyside Police corruption investigation.

The pair were arrested last year on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation. Both deny the charges.

Their application for a judicial review against Merseyside Police alleged unlawful arrest and use of unlawful search warrants.

Mr Anderson’s legal team said in a statement today: “Permission has been refused in the application to judicially review the lawfulness of Mr Anderson’s arrest. 

“He is in the process of renewing his application.

“Mr Anderson denies that he acted unlawfully and is very willing to address allegations if the police have any evidence to put to him. 

“He continues to offer his assistance in the investigation, but maintains that there was no need to arrest the [then] elected mayor of Liverpool in order to secure that assistance.”