Ex-Labour councillor appears in court over Westminster blackmail allegation

An ex-Labour councillor has appeared successful tribunal charged with blackmail aft an probe into an alleged Westminster honeytrap.

Oliver Steadman, 28, is charged with 1 number of blackmailing then-senior Conservative MP William Wragg for the interaction telephone numbers of up to 12 people.

Mr Wragg resigned the enactment whip successful April 2024 aft helium admitted giving politicians' telephone numbers to a suspected scammer helium met connected a dating app.

Steadman, of Islington, northbound London, has besides been charged with 5 counts of sending offensive, indecent, obscene oregon menacing messages by a nationalist connection network.

He appeared astatine Westminster Magistrates' Court connected Monday.

During the little hearing, Steadman, who wore a acheronian suit, spoke lone to corroborate his name, day of commencement and address.

The charges span the play 8 October 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Prosecutor Vincent Scully said they are each linked.

Steadman was granted unconditional bail and is owed to adjacent look astatine Southwark Crown Court connected 1 December.