A former Labour councillor has been charged over his alleged involvement in the Westminster “honeytrap” scandal. Oliver Steadman, 28, of Pemberton Gardens in north London, faces one count of blackmail and five separate communications offences. Prosecutors allege that Steadman made unwarranted demands for the phone numbers of up to 12 people and sent unsolicited indecent images to political figures through WhatsApp between October 2023 and April 2024.
The scandal first became public last year when several men, many of them linked to politics, revealed that they had received flirtatious WhatsApp messages from accounts named “Charlie” or “Abi”. In some cases, explicit images were exchanged. Former Conservative MP William Wragg admitted in April 2024 that he had given out colleagues’ phone numbers to someone he met through a dating app, which led to his resignation from the party whip.
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The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Steadman will face trial, with the charges arising from a Metropolitan Police investigation into the case.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the case against Oliver Steadman includes one blackmail charge and five communications charges, relating to five victims connected to Westminster and UK politics. Four of the communications charges involve sending alleged unsolicited indecent images. The CPS said there is sufficient evidence to bring the matter to court and that it is in the public interest to proceed.
Steadman, who had served as a Labour councillor in Islington, north London, was suspended by the party in June 2024 following his arrest. He formally resigned his council seat the following month. Labour confirmed he remains suspended from the party, with its internal investigation on hold while the criminal case progresses.
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The case has drawn significant attention due to its ties to the wider “honeytrap” scandal, which embarrassed Westminster and raised questions about online security and political vulnerability to blackmail attempts. Steadman is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 3 November. If convicted, the charges could carry serious consequences both legally and politically.
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