Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has been arrested as part of a police probe into building contracts.
The Liverpool City Council leader was one of five men detained by officers across the city on Friday as well as at addresses in Ormskirk and Southport.
Although Anderson, 62, was released on conditional bail following questioning, his membership of the Labour Party has been suspended.
He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit bribery and witness intimidation.
Detectives also disclosed that a 33-year-old from West Derby and a 46-year-old from Ainsdale were both arrested in connection with the same charges.
Separately another two men, aged 72 from Aigburth and a 25-year-old from Ormskirk, were arrested on suspicion of witness intimidation.
“I was arrested as part of Operation Aloft on Friday 4th December and interviewed for six hours,” Mayor Anderson said in a statement.
“I co-operated fully with Merseyside Police and will continue to be co-operative in their continuing investigation.
“I will be talking to my cabinet colleagues over the weekend to ensure the challenges our city faces with the Covid pandemic continue to receive the focus they deserve.
“I also support the Labour Party’s decision to apply an administrative suspension while this investigation continues.
“I have been bailed to return in one month’s time. Given this investigation is continuing, and there are bail conditions, I will not be making any further comments.”
Anderson has been Liverpool City Council’s Labour leader for over a decade and holds the title of the city’s directly elected Mayor since 2012.