Oliver Steadman, a former Labour councillor, has been charged with blackmail and communications offences in connection with the Westminster honeytrap scandal, Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service have announced.
The 28-year-old, who was involved in Labour’s general election campaign, faces one count of blackmail and a communications offence of improper use of a public communications network in relation to one victim. He also faces four counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network for sending alleged unsolicited indecent images to four other victims.
The scandal emerged last year when the Conservative MP William Wragg admitted to giving the personal phone numbers of fellow MPs to a man he met on the Grindr dating app. Wragg subsequently resigned the Tory whip and did not contest his seat at the general election.
Victims reported receiving unsolicited indecent images and blackmail demands from individuals calling themselves “Charlie” or “Abi”. Messages included specific references to bars at party conferences or roles on old leadership campaigns, exploiting fuzzy memories after social events.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS special crime division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Oliver Steadman with blackmail and five communications offences in relation to a total of five victims working within politics and Westminster.” Steadman, a former Islington councillor, was arrested last June and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 3 November 2025.
