Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson is understood to have been arrested in a police investigation into building and development contracts in Liverpool.
In a statement issued by Merseyside Police, five people have been arrested in connection with offences of bribery and witness intimidation.
One of the five arrested is believed to be Anderson, according to reports in local newspaper the Liverpool Echo.
The arrests have been made as part of “an ongoing investigation”.
The arrests include a 62-year-old man from Old Swan; a 33-year-old man from West Derby; a 46-year-old man from Ainsdale; a 25-year-old man from Ormskirk; and a 72-year-old man from Aigburth.
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “Liverpool City Council is co-operating with Merseyside Police in relation to its ongoing investigation. We do not comment on matters relating to individuals.”
A spokesman for Liverpool City Region said it would “not be appropriate” to comment.
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