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Detectives probing abusive calls to Joe Anderson following a racist rally have questioned two more men.

The pair have been arrested and bailed as part of claims right-wing extremists bombarded the Liverpool mayor with threats after their protest led to violent scenes in the city.

A third man - whose computer was seized as part of the investigation - faces no further action.

Ugly scenes erupted as the North West Infidels clashed with anti-fascist protesters on the steps of St George’s Hall in February.

Following the chaos Mayor Anderson - an outspoken critic of the right wing group - claimed he was subject to threats and was forced to change his mobile number.

He also said in one of the conversations the caller claimed to be an officer for Durham Police.

The allegations are being investigated and the ECHO can reveal two more men have been questioned.

The 34-year-old, from Accrington, Lancs, and 32-year-old, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, are now on bail pending further enquiries.

Their arrests follow that of a 41-year-old, also from Bishop Auckland, who had been arrested on suspicion of harassment and impersonating a police officer in March.

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He was targeted by Durham Police at the request of officers in Merseyside but will face no further action over the allegations.

A spokesman said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that enquiries are ongoing in a criminal investigation into malicious communications.

“A 41-year-old man from Bishop Auckland, County Durham was arrested by Durham Constabulary in March. The decision was made that no further action will be taken in relation to him.

“Two other men, a 34-year-old man from Accrington, Lancashire and a 32-year-old man from Bishop Auckland, County Durham remain on bail in relation to the incident and enquiries are ongoing.

“The matter is being investigated by Merseyside Police in partnership with Durham Constabulary.”

Following the calls, the mayor told the ECHO: “I was in a meeting and my phone rang three times on silent.

“When I picked it up there was a voice on the other end that gave me a lot of abuse and said: ‘We know where you live’.”

He said he had “no doubt” neo-Nazis were behind the call.

A total of 33 men were arrested after the clashes outside Lime Street station and St George’s Hall, which was daubed with swastikas. The police costs for dealing with the disorder was put at around £60,000.

Following the violence, Mayor Anderson called for new powers to prevent similar protests in the city.