Joe Hanson will appear in court next month
Cllr Joe Hanson(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A veteran Liverpool city councillor charged following an alleged altercation last Autumn has left the Labour group. It was revealed last week how senior councillor Joe Hanson had been charged with a public order offence and will appear in court in February.
Cllr Hanson, who represents the Kirkdale West ward, was charged after a reported incident on September 4 last year. He is set to appear before South Sefton Magistrates’ Court in Bootle on Thursday, February 5.
Liverpool Labour sources have confirmed Cllr Hanson, from Walton, has left the council group. He will also step aside from his role as chair of one of the authority’s scrutiny committees.
Cllr Hanson was first elected to the city council 26 years ago and served until 2008 before returning in 2012. In a statement last week, Merseyside Police confirmed he had been charged.
Cllr Joe Hanson(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A force spokesperson said: “Joseph Hanson, 75 years, of Rawcliffe Road in Walton, has been charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause another harassment, alarm or distress.
“He will next appear at South Sefton Magistrates Court on 5 February.”
The force has confirmed the charge follows a reported altercation between two men following a meeting, which took place at a café on Great Mersey Street.
It is understood the alleged incident happened at the Rotunda community centre.
A Liverpool Labour group source has now confirmed the Kirkdale West member will step aside from the group.
They said: “Cllr Hanson has offered to step aside from the Labour Group, pending the outcome of his case, and we have accepted.”
Sources have also confirmed Cllr Hanson will step down from his role as chair of the city council’s sustainable, safe and thriving neighbourhoods committee.
Cllr Hanson said he plans to defend himself in court.
As a result of Cllr Hanson’s decision, Labour now has 58 out of 85 members on the city council.