The former mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has denied charges of bribery and misconduct – including allegations that he sent himself “threatening letters”.

The 67-year-old appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday where he entered not guilty pleas to bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

Anderson, who was the city’s elected mayor from 2012 to 2021, is alleged to have sent or arranged to have sent the letters to himself, the court heard.

He is also accused of conspiring with his son, David Anderson, and the council’s former assistant director of highways and planning, Andrew Barr, 51, to arrange special access for his son’s company SSC.

Barr appeared alongside Anderson in the dock and pleaded not guilty to 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.

Co-defendants David Anderson, Derek Hatton, who was deputy council leader in the 1980s, and his wife, Sonjia Hatton, were not due to appear in court on Friday.

Judge Paul Lawton adjourned the case until 5 April 2027 when the trial will take place.