Former Labour Councillor Denies Westminster Honeytrap Blackmail Charges
A former Labour councillor has pleaded not guilty to blackmailing ex-Conservative MP William Wragg in an alleged Westminster honeytrap plot that has rocked British political circles. Oliver Steadman, 29, entered his plea at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, setting the stage for a high-profile trial.
Details of the Alleged Blackmail Scheme
Steadman faces one count of blackmail and five allegations of improper use of a public electronic communications network. Prosecutors allege he was behind a series of 'flirty' messages and explicit images sent to multiple MPs and Westminster figures between February 1 and March 31, 2024.
The blackmail charge specifically accuses Steadman of making "unwarranted demands in a series of electronic communication network messages for contact telephone numbers of up to 12 individuals from William Wragg with menaces." This case represents one of the most sensational political scandals in recent Westminster history.
William Wragg's Role in the Controversy
Mr. Wragg, who served as Hazel Grove MP and was an influential backbencher, resigned the Tory whip in April 2024 and stood down from Parliament at the subsequent general election. His political downfall came after he admitted giving out the phone numbers of fellow politicians to someone he met on dating app Grindr.
Steadman is accused of being the person who was in contact with Mr. Wragg, allegedly using this connection to obtain sensitive contact information that formed the basis of the honeytrap operation.
Legal Proceedings and Additional Charges
Judge Tony Baumgartner has adjourned the case for a three-week trial scheduled to begin on October 4, 2027. Steadman, who previously represented Labour as a councillor in Islington and was working for mental health charity Mind at the time of the alleged offenses, will remain on unconditional bail until his trial.
A further pre-trial hearing is scheduled for October 12, 2026. Notably, Steadman did not enter pleas on Wednesday to additional charges of sending menacing messages to Mr. Wragg and sending indecent images to several other political figures.
Wider Impact on Westminster
The alleged recipients of indecent images include Ben Everitt, the former Conservative MP for Milton Keynes North; Luke Evans, who was the Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth; Ross Thomson, the Tory MP for Aberdeen South from 2017 to 2019; and a man named Ben Proctor. This broad targeting suggests a systematic attempt to compromise multiple political figures.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about cybersecurity, personal safety, and ethical conduct within British political institutions. As the legal process unfolds, it continues to cast a shadow over Westminster, raising questions about vulnerability to digital manipulation and the personal conduct of elected officials.
The trial's 2027 start date indicates the complexity of the case and the significant evidence that must be examined. Until then, Steadman maintains his innocence while the political world awaits what promises to be a revealing examination of digital-age political scandal.
