Former Labour Councillor Denies Blackmail in 'Honeytrap' Investigation

Oliver Steadman, 29, formerly a Labour councillor, has entered a plea of not guilty to a blackmail charge at Southwark Crown Court. This charge is connected to an alleged 'honeytrap' operation aimed at prominent figures in Westminster.

Allegations and Charges

Mr Steadman was arrested in June 2024 and subsequently charged with one count of blackmailing former Conservative MP William Wragg. It is alleged that the blackmail aimed to secure the telephone numbers of up to 12 individuals.

Mr Wragg previously stepped down as an MP after admitting to sharing personal phone numbers of parliamentary colleagues with an individual he encountered on a dating application. Mr Steadman did not enter pleas to further charges of sending menacing messages to Mr Wragg, nor to sending indecent images to others, including Conservative MP Luke Evans and former Conservative MPs Ben Everitt and Ross Thompson.

Trial and Bail Conditions

Mr Steadman remains on unconditional bail. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 12 October 2026, with the trial itself set to commence on 4 October 2027.

Following his arrest in June 2024, Mr Steadman was suspended as a Labour Party member. He resigned from his councillor position in Islington, north London, a month later.