A senior Liverpool City Councillor has been charged with a public order offence, following an alleged incident at a public meeting. Cllr Joe Hanson, a Labour Party councillor representing the Kirkdale West ward, is due to appear in magistrates court next month. The veteran politician, who has been on the council since 2000, denies the charge and plans to defend himself "rigorously" in court. The city council's official opposition, the Liberal Democrats, have called for Cllr Hanson to be suspended from the Labour Party and to step down from his role on the Neighbourhoods Committee until the criminal proceedings are concluded. The incident occurred at the Rotunda building in Kirkdale on September 4 last year, following a public meeting. The ECHO has contacted Cllr Hanson for comment, but he has not yet responded. This story is developing, and we will bring you more updates as they become available.
